PRAYERS 


OF A COLLEGE YEAR 


- 


L. CLARK SEELYE 








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PRAYERS OF A COLLEGE YEAR 


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PRAYERS SLOGIGAL BERS 
OF A COLLEGE YEAR 


BYL ie 
ae 
L. CLARK SEELYE 


First President of Smith College 








NORTHAMPTON 


The Hampshire Bookshop 
1926 


CoPpyYRIGHT, 1925, BY 
THE HAMPSHIRE BOOKSHOP 


SECOND PRINTING, 1926 


PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 


We thank Thee, Lord, that it mas granted us in the high 
and perilous years of youth, to walk mith one whose eyes 
were eurr fixed upon the heavenly vision. 


Bedirated to Smith College 
hy the Class of 
1909 


vis 


A FRAGMENT OF PRESIDENT SEELYE’S 
CoMMENCEMENT PRAYER FOR 
THE CLass OF 1909 


May their love to Thee and to each other be their 
inspiration throughout their lives. So when the 
shadows lengthen and their eyes grow dim to earthly 
life, may Thy presence still be with them. And so, 
Father, we leave them in Thy hands; Thou wilt 
never leave or forsake them. Make them living 
epistles of Thee wheresoever Thou shalt place them; 
make them good and faithful servants, until they 
shall hear Thy voice bidding them enter into the joy 
of their Lord. And to Thy name shall be the glory 
and thanksgiving and the power now and for ever. 
Amen. 


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FOREWORD 


These prayers were offered by President 
Seelye at Morning Chapel and Sunday Vespers 
during his last college year, 1909-1910. ‘The 
Class of 1909, wishing to preserve for our Alma 
Mater the most precious heritage of our college 
life, arranged to have them recorded but without 
his knowledge, thus avoiding any embarrassment 
to him, for the spoken word arose from the 
depths of a spiritual experience by which he 
drew us into the very presence of the Father. 
The manuscript was treasured by the Class of 
1909 for fifteen years. President Seelye read 
it in the summer of 1924 and his consent was 
gained for its publication in September, just ten 
days before his passing. 

In preparing these prayers for publication we 
have had the advice and help of the following: 
President William Allan Neilson, Miss Julia H. 
Caverno, Miss Elizabeth D. Hanscom, Miss 
Mary Van Kleeck, Miss Anne MacC. Chapin, 
Miss Mary Allerton Kilborne, and Rev. Harry 
Emerson Fosdick, D.D.; and the devoted service 


era 


in editing and publishing of Mrs. Harriet Seelye 
Rhees, Mrs. Florence Anderson Gilbert, and 
Miss Marion E. Dodd. 


RosaAMoND KIMBALL, 
ANNE CoE MircHELL, 


Editing Committee for 
the Class of 1909. 


[8] 


PRAYERS OF A COLLEGE YEAR 


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THOU Spirit of Life and of 
() Light, who fillest the world 

around us with the tokens of wis- 
dom and of power, we adore and worship 
Thee. We praise Thee that Thou dost 
permit us to draw near unto Thee, to com- 
municate with Thee as our Father and our 
Friend, and to receive those gifts which 
Thou art ever ready to bestow. Give us 
this morning, here in this place of prayer, 
a sense of Thy divine presence. Break 
down every barrier which separates us 
from Thee. Thou hast loved us with an 
everlasting and exhaustless love. Day by 
day Thou dost give us some new testi- 
monial of Thine affection. 

How good and kind Thou hast been to 
us since last we met together! Thou hast 
protected us from countless dangers. Thou 
hast given us strength and wisdom. Thou 
hast permitted us to begin the work of 
another college year, giving us again a 
promise of Thy love and wisdom. We 
consecrate ourselves afresh to Thy service. 
May Thy will be done in us, even as it is 
done in heaven. Grant unto us abun- 
dantly of Thy spirit, that our minds may 


[ir] 


be quickened by Thy power. Give unto 
us that charity which suffereth long and is 
kind, which beareth all things, and hopeth 
all things. May we, wherever we are 
placed, endeavor to do Thy will, and may 
Thy spirit be so richly manifested in our 
words and deeds that men may be drawn 
by what we do or say unto Thyself. 

We thank Thee for all Thy favor to 
this College in the past, for its benefactors, 
teachers, and graduates. Be with us 
through the coming years so that we may 
at last attain unto Thy perfection. We 
commend to Thy fatherly goodness the 
homes which we represent, asking that 
Thou wilt be merciful and gracious to 
them. Hear us, our Father, this morning, 
Thou who knowest all our hearts. Give 
unto each one of us the assurance of Thy 
love and Thy fatherly care, that with 
courage and hope and faith we may begin 
our work again assured of Thy kindness. 
Be ever with us, and to Thy name shall be 
the praise and the glory for ever. Amen. 


September 16, 1909 


[12] 


E, worship Thee, O God, our 

\) \ Father everlasting. Thine is 
the honor, the wisdom, the 

glory, and the power, for all things in 
heaven and earth are Thine. Thine are all 
these forms of beauty that surround us, 
and we are Thine. Thou hast begotten us 
by Thy spirit. Thou hast given unto us 
hearts to love Thee, and minds to know 
Thee. We thank Thee that Thou dost per- 
mit us to study the works that Thou hast 
made, and to know Thee in the revelation 
that Thou hast made of Thyself. Thou 
alone art wise and Thou art the source of 
all our wisdom and of all our power. 
Thou hast given us Thyself. Thou dost 
open unto us each day all Thy treasures 
of wisdom, of knowledge, and of power, 
saying unto each one of us, Seek and ye 
shall find, knock and it shall be opened 
unto you. While we marvel at Thy gifts, 
we rejoice that we are thus honored, that 
we have these high privileges, that we can 
draw near unto Thee, the Creator of all 
things, that we can draw near unto Thee 
as Thy children, and that Thou art able to 


[13] 


do for us exceedingly abundantly beyond 
what we can ask or think. 

We bow before Thee again, this morn- 
ing, asking that Thou wilt cheer each one 
of us. Be with us during the hours of the 
coming day, helping us to resist its tempta- 
tions, to do its work, that in all things we 
may glorify Thee, and that we may do our 
work so faithfully and well that it will be 
satisfactory in Thy sight. Comfort all 
those who sorrow. ‘Teach us to look not 
at the things which are seen but at the 
things which are unseen and eternal, to 
believe that although these earthly houses 
be destroyed, we have a heavenly home 
and an eternal. Bind us not only more 
closely to each other, but to Thyself. May 
we never lose sight of those higher ideals 
which have been given to us and each day 
may we walk in the light of the heavenly 
vision that has passed before us, that we 
may be mindful of our high calling in 
Jesus Christ, our Lord, and to Thy name 
shall be the praise for ever. Amen. 


September 17, 1909 


Cra 


THOU Spirit of pure love, who 
() art the essence of divinity, and 
who art manifesting to us Thy 
glorious presence each day, fill our souls 
with Thyself, that we may love Thee with 
the same love with which Thou lovest us. 
We can never love Thee as much as Thou 
lovest us, for Thy love is infinite, and we 
are finite; but we would love Thee with 
all our hearts, and minds, and souls, and 
strength, for Thou art worthy of our 
highest love; and each day Thou dost 
bind us to Thyself by some new gift, by 
some new revelation of Thy goodness. 
Manifold are Thy blessings unto each one 
of us. How kind Thou hast been to us 
year by year! Thou forgivest us our 
iniquities, Thou healest our sicknesses. 
Thou gavest us Thine only Son. Help us 
to follow His example, that each day we 
may love those around us as He loved us, 
that each day our lives may be full of 
divine ministry, so that the love which 
beareth all things, which hopeth all 
things, may dwell richly in our hearts. 
We come to Thee, our Father, at the 
beginning of another day and of another 


[xsl 


week, asking that Thou wilt give unto us 
of Thy strength in our weakness, of Thy 
wisdom in our ignorance, that we may 
accomplish Thy will, that we may do faith- 
fully and well the work assigned to us, 
and may be enabled to master every appe- 
tite and passion which conflicts with Thy 
law of love. Help us all to live noble 
lives, so that we shall be upright in 
thought and deed; and to grow in Thy 
likeness, that we may be prepared for the 
glory that awaits Thy children. We thank 
Thee for the assurance that we shall know 
Thee as Thou hast known us, and that we 
shall at last see Thee face to face and shall 
rejoice in the clearer knowledge of Thy 
love. Be merciful to those dear to us 
wherever they may be. Comfort all those 
who sorrow, lift up those that are cast 
down. Give strength to those that are 
heavily burdened, and extend throughout 
all the earth the knowledge of Thyself, 
that Thy kingdom of peace and righteous- 
ness may everywhere prevail. 

And, thus, our Father, we offer unto 
Thee our petitions. Speak unto us a word 
of hope and good cheer, that we may go 


[16 ] 


on our way rejoicing that the Almighty is 
with us, and that He will not forsake us; 
and to Thy name shall be the praise and 
the glory for ever. Amen. 


September 20, 1909 


Erg 


Father. Thou makest the sun to 

shine upon the earth and Thou 
sendest rain upon the just and the unjust, 
and each day Thou art manifesting Thyself 
to us in some new form, teaching us by all 
Thy dealings with us individually that 
Thou art our Father and our Friend. 
Thou dost give us each day fresh occasion 
for gratitude. Fill our hearts this morn- 
ing with reverence for Thy great majesty. 
Help us to remember that Thou art our 
Father. We come to Thee again in our 
weakness, asking Thee for strength. We 
come in our ignorance, asking Thee for 
wisdom. We come, in our tendencies to 
offend, asking Thee, who art merciful, to 
give us grace to resist every temptation, 
that we may walk according to the desires 
of the spirit and not of the flesh. Thou 
hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts 
have no rest until they find their rest in 
Thee. 

Come, Thou who art our life and our 
hope, and fill our souls with Thyself, that 
our wills may accord with Thy law, that 
we may love the things which Thou lovest, 


[18 ] 


B LESSED be Thy name, O God, our 


and hate the things which Thou hatest; 
and may we love one another even as Thou 
hast loved us. Be merciful to our friends 
and kindred and preserve those in trouble 
and sickness. Hear us, our Father. Thou 
who knowest our personal need satisfy it, 
giving unto us whatsoever we shall need 
for the events of the coming day, that we 
may, through all our experiences in life, 
grow in accordance with Thy will, and in 
the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, 
Jesus Christ. And to Thy name shall be 
the praise and the glory for ever. Amen. 


September 25, 1909 


L19] 


ETERNAL God, in whom we 
() live and move and have our being, 

and who hast broken down every 
barrier which separates us from each other 
and from Thee, so that we are no longer 
strangers to each other, we offer unto Thee 
our evening worship. May Thy spirit 
prompt us to ask those things which are 
pleasing in Thy sight, and may Thy spirit 
interpret those desires which we cannot 
express, for Thou knowest us altogether. 
Thou hast taught us to pray, and Thou 
hast assured us that we never pray in vain 
if we ask for the good which Thou art 
seeking to bestow. We come asking Thee 
for that greatest of all gifts, even Thyself, 
for Thou art the portion of Thy people 
and Thou dost never withhold this from 
Thy children, but dost offer, continually, 
in the fullness of Thy love, Thy power 
and wisdom to the humblest and weakest, 
assuring us that Thou lovest us with a 
love that we can never measure. May we 
not reject this greatest gift, but may we, 
in sincerity and truth, open our hearts to 
Thee, Thou glorious Master and Lord of 
us all, that Thy life may be our life, that 


[20 ] 


our will may be fashioned by Thy will, so 
that we shall choose the things Thou 
choosest, so that we shall love the things 
Thou lovest, and hate the things Thou 
hatest. May we never forget that we have 
a Father in heaven, and that Thou art 
unchanging. 

In the light of the heavenly vision, 
may we walk continually. May we not 
be hardened, but may we be so responsive 
to all those sacred influences which are 
exerted upon us, that we may grow purer 
and better and more conformed to Thy 
likeness. As Thou knowest our individual 
needs, give us strength in our weakness, 
and wisdom in our ignorance, so that we 
may attain to that perfection to which 
Thou callest us. Be merciful unto those 
that are in great sorrow and comfort them, 
and strengthen those that are ready to 
faint. We thank Thee, O God, for the 
vision of Thyself in the majesty of the 
world in which we live, and that Thou art 
turning the hearts of the world toward 
Thee. 

O Thou who art the author of peace, 
advance, we beseech Thee, Thy kingdom 


[21] 


of righteousness. We thank Thee for all 
the great and heroic souls that have led 
Thy people. Give unto us increasing 
faith in Thee and Thy love, that we may 
go forward unto whatsoever Thou hast ap- 
pointed for us. Our Father, we wait for 
Thy inspiration and Thy blessing to-night. 
May this season of worship be profitable 
unto each one of us, so that we may go 
from this place with stronger faith in Thee 
and the immortal life; and may the glory 
and praise be unto Thy name for ever. 
Amen. 


September 26, 1909 


[ 22 ] 


HOU eternal God, Thou source 
of all life and of light, who fillest 
the world around us with the 
glory of Thy presence, fill our hearts with 
Thy glory and Thy peace, that we may 
render service to Thee. May our hearts 
respond to Thee, and to Thy love. We 
thank Thee for life, and love, and 
strength which Thou dost give. We thank 
Thee for all the joys of life. We thank 
Thee for all the work which Thou dost 
appoint unto us. We thank Thee, espe- 
cially, for the assurance that Thou seest 
all Thy children and art ever ready to 
satisfy our needs. We praise Thee for 
the assurance that Thou art stronger than 
all our foes, and that Thou canst give 
unto us what we need to attain eternal life. 
Wherever we go, wilt Thou go with us. 
We come this morning to renew our de- 
termination to follow Thee during the 
hours of the coming day. Be merciful 
unto those that are in sorrow, and comfort 
them; unto those in great trouble, and 
help them; unto those in great peril, and 
protect them. Advance Thy kingdom of 
righteousness and of peace, subduing all 


heat 


nations unto Thyself, that men everywhere 
may learn of Thee, and may be inclined to 
keep Thy commandments. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 


September 29, 1909 


i243 


GOD, our Heavenly Father, in 
() whose name we go forth again 
unto our daily work, give unto us 
this morning the consciousness of Thy 
presence and Thy fatherly care, that we 
may go forth with courage, hope, and good 
cheer, unto whatsoever life may bring. 
We are children of the light; may we walk 
in the light that Thou hast given us. Thy 
yoke is easy, and Thy burden light. We 
would take Thy yoke upon us, and bear 
Thy burden. Thou hast given unto us 
varied powers. May we use them all for 
Thee. May we grow purer in heart every 
day. May we grow in grace every day. 
We thank Thee that Thou dost permit 
us to know Thee. Thou hast not left us 
without a witness of Thyself. Day unto 
day uttereth speech, and night unto night 
showeth knowledge. We would recognize 
Thee in all Thy dealings with us, that, 
knowing Thee as Thou art, we may be 
changed into Thy likeness. We would 
renew our determination to live for Thee 
and to follow Thee. Be Thou our light 
and our joy. Comfort those in sorrow, 
heal those that are sick, minister unto all 


L254 


the needs of Thy children, that men every- 
where may acknowledge Thee, that Thy 
kingdom of peace and righteousness may 
prevail. We wait thus, our Father, this 
morning again for Thy blessing. Thou 
knowest our hearts. Wilt Thou minister 
to our needs, that all may be done for 
Thine honor and glory. And to Thy name 
shall be the praise for ever. Amen. 


October 1, 1909 


[ 26 ] 


Thou Father of all families that 

dwell on the earth, who hast loved 
Thy children with an everlasting love and 
hast led them by various ways, we thank 
Thee for the good news which has come to 
us through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who 
has brought life and immortality to light, 
who has revealed to us Thy fatherhood, 
and human brotherhood. And now, we 
commend to Thy guidance and care this, 
Thy beloved child, who goes forth from us 
unto distant lands to show forth Thy life 
and Thy light, to manifest Thy love to 
those who know Thee not.* Wilt Thou 
guide her. In time of danger, wilt Thou 
be her protector. Give her continually the 
inspiration of Thy spirit, that she may be 
constrained through Thy spirit to declare 
unto men Thy love; giving unto her the 
assurance of Thy fellowship, and Thy 
guidance, and Thy presence. Graciously 
give unto her all of those powers of mind 


A Thon Fs and most merciful God, 


* Miss Delia Leavens, 1901, who was sent to Tung- 
chow, China, by the Woman’s Board of Missions 
(Congregational), her salary being paid by the Smith 
College Association for Christian Work. 


Bee) Aa 


and of body which will make her most suc- 
cessful in her work, that she may be a liv- 
ing epistle of Thy truth. And through all 
her life, wilt Thou thus continue to lead 
and to guide her, so that at last she may 
enter into Thy presence with exceeding joy 
and may hear the welcome, Well done, 
good and faithful servant, Thou hast been 
faithful over a few things I will make thee 
ruler over many things; enter thou into the _ 
joy of Thy Lord. And to Thy name shall 
be the praise and the glory for ever, Thou 
blessed Lord and Redeemer of all man- 
kind. Amen. 


(On Sending Out a College Missionary) 
October 3, 1909 


[ 28 ] 


LMIGHTY and eternal God, the 
King of light, we worship and 
adore Thee. May Thy name be 

hallowed by us. As we draw near to 
Thee, may we come with reverence and 
filial affection, remembering that, great 
and exalted as Thou art, Thou art our 
Saviour and our Friend and that each day 
Thou art offering good things to us. We 
thank Thee for our high vocation as it is 
revealed to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
Thou art the portion of Thy people and 
Thou dost offer Thyself in all of the 
treasures of Thy love, saying unto us, Ask, 
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye 
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened 
unto you. 

We come again seeking Thee. Breathe 
into our souls Thy peace, that, as we seek 
knowledge, we may not turn away from 
Thee, Thou source of all wisdom. Forbid 
that we should study the movements of 
human history and not perceive in Thee 
the power that makes history. Forbid that 
we should not perceive, from day to day, 
Thy fatherly care and goodness. How 
good and kind Thou art unto us! Help 


[29] 


us throughout our daily life to gain mas- 
tery over all appetites and passions which 
are against Thy holy law. May we indeed 
be Thy children, loving Thee with all 
our heart, and our neighbor as ourself. 
Strengthen our determination to live a true 
and upright life, so that we may do some- 
thing to make the world better for our 
living in it. O Thou spirit of life and 
light, help us to make progress in life, so 
that we may at last attain to Thy complete- 
ness. Thou art our teacher. Lead us 
forward continually unto higher things 
that our lives may reflect more of Thy life 
and light. 

Be merciful to those that are in trouble 
and comfort them; to the sick, and heal 
them. Establish Thy kingdom through- 
out the earth, Thou King of kings and 
Lord of lords, subduing to Thyself all the 
forces of unrighteousness, teaching men 
Thy truth, that all our institutions may be 
in accordance with Thy will and for Thine 
honor. And to Thy name shall be the 
praise and the glory for ever. Amen. 


October 6, 1909 
[ 30 ] 


GOD our Father, in whom we 
() live and move and have our being, 
who art round about us like the 
light which gladdens us and invigorates us, 
even when we are unconscious of it, make 
us conscious of Thy presence this morning, 
that we may come near to Thee with filial 
gratitude, remembering Thy promise that 
Thou wilt not leave us nor forsake us. As 
we go forth unto the work, joys, and sor- 
rows of another day, may we go with firm 
trust in Thy guidance. Thou knowest 
what is best for our every need. Come 
unto us with the peace which passeth all 
understanding, and help us to rest in Thee, 
to wait patiently for Thee, assured that 
Thou wilt never be far from us, and that 
Thou always dost hear our cry, and that 
Thou hast greater good in store for us than 
we have ever conceived. There is nothing 
good which Thou dost not promise we 
shall attain. There is no excellence we can 
conceive which Thou dost not promise we 
may have. 
May we grow in grace and wisdom and 
love, manifesting in all our deeds more 


[32a 


fully Thy spirit. May we be willing to 
suffer for Thee if Thou dost ask it, assured 
that through whatever paths Thou seest 
fit to lead us, they are paths which lead to 
-Thy glory and Thy completeness. We 
would follow wherever Thy spirit: leads 
us. Give unto us to-day clearer minds 
that we may perceive Thy truth and Thy- 
self in all works of nature and the move- 
ments of human history and in all our indi- 
vidual experience. Give unto us believing 
hearts, that we may rest in Thee and that 
we may not be disturbed by the vanities of 
the earth. 

Be with the kings of the earth, Thou 
King of kings and Thou Lord of lords, 
that sedition may be put down and that 
peace may reign throughout Thy kingdom, 
so that men shall do unto others as they 
would that men should do unto them. 

Our Father, hear us this morning, 
strengthen our determination to live a 
noble life. Fill our hearts with joy and 
peace throughout the hours of the coming 
day, that we may live ever as Thy children 
and manifest Thy peace and Thy love. 


C32) 


And to Thy name shall be the praise and 
the glory for ever. Amen. 


October 18, 1909 


[334 


GOD, our Creator, our King, and 
() our Father, we offer unto Thee 

our gladsome alleluias, for Thou 
art worthy to receive the praise and wor- 
ship of all Thy creatures. Hallow this 
place with Thy presence and give unto us 
the consciousness that Thou art near to us 
and that there is in Thee sufficiency to give 
that which can meet our need. Banish 
from our thoughts all worldly cares, all 
selfish desires, and help us for a few mo- 
ments to fix our minds upon Thee and to 
think of the great love wherewith Thou 
hast loved us, and to think of the high 
calling that Thou hast given unto us as 
revealed in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Thou 
hast made us Thyself. Thou hast given us 
all the treasures of Thy wisdom, Thy love, 
and Thy power. We come to Thee, Thou 
Spirit of life and Redeemer of our souls, 
and ask ‘Thee to give unto us of that spirit, 
so that we may walk acceptably in Thy 
sight. May we not be so engrossed with 
the cares of life that we may forget that 
Thou art God. Fill our hearts this morn- 
ing with joy and peace in the consciousness 
that Thou, the Almighty, art our God and 


[ 34 J] 


our Friend, that Thou mayest be with us 
during the coming day, that Thy strength 
may be perfected in our weakness, that 
Thy grace may make us victorious over 
every spiritual foe. May we not be un- 
duly exalted by success or discouraged by 
defeat. May we accept all that Thou 
sendest to us as given unto usin love. We 
thank Thee for the higher glory that Thou 
hast in store for us, that Thou art ever 
calling us to higher things. Do with us as 
seemeth good in Thy sight. We rejoice 
that we are in Thy hands and although we 
know not the future, we know that the 
future can bring us still nearer to Thyself 
if we put our trust in Thee. 

Be merciful unto those that are in great 
sorrow, and comfort them. Fill with Thy 
love the place which Thy providence has 
caused to be empty. Extend Thy kingdom 
of peace and righteousness through the 
earth, that wars may cease, that the nations 
of the earth may dwell in peace together. 
Our Father, bless each one of us here in . 
Thy presence and fill our hearts with Thy 
peace, that we may go forth again to our 
work, and may do faithfully and well all 


E35 


the work that is demanded of us and that 
we may manifest Thy great love. And to 
Thy name shall be the praise and glory 
for ever. Amen. 


October 23, 1909 


[ 36 J 


THOU eternal God, our Father, 
() in whom is no darkness, and unto 

whom the night shineth as the 
day, enlighten us by Thy spirit, that we 
may have the light of day and may not 
walk in darkness. We thank Thee that 
Thou hast given us Thy Son, that He has 
taught us to live, and that He has taught 
us of the life to come. May we walk in 
His light. May it not be said of us that 
we love darkness rather than light, but 
may we rejoice in the light which Thou 
hast sent to each one of us in the life of 
Jesus Christ. Thou art making our path 
clear before us. May we walk in the light 
which Thou hast given us, assured that, 
even in the darkness, Thou wilt make all 
things clear at last unto us, and we shall 
see that all the ways in which Thou hast 
led us are ways to lead us unto purer and 
nobler lives. We would follow Thee and 
the promptings of Thy spirit. May we 
walk according to those higher desires 
which Thou hast inspired in us. May we 
follow that heavenly vision which Thou 
hast given to us. Help us to overcome the 
evil that is around us and that is within us, 


Pegg t | 


that we may not be mastered by the lusts 
of the flesh but that we may bring every 
appetite and every thought and every voli- 
tion into obedience to the law of life. 

We begin again another day and another 
week, and we come to Thee asking Thee 
for Thy wisdom and Thy strength, assured 
that Thou wilt be with us, so that into our 
lives will come Thy divine light. Be 
merciful unto those that are sick, and heal 
them; unto those that sorrow, and comfort 
them; unto those that are in trouble, and 
help them. Bind Thy children closer to 
Thyself. Establish everywhere Thy king- 
dom of righteousness and peace, that men 
may learn to know Thee and live together 
in brotherly love. Hear us this morning, 
our Father. Grant Thy blessing unto each 
one of us, speaking the word of comfort, 
of hope, and of cheer that Thou seest each 
one of us needs, that we may go on our 
way rejoicing. And to Thy name shall be 
the praise and the glory for ever. Amen. 


October 25, 1909 


[ 38 J 


E, offer Thee our gladsome alle- 

\) \) luias, Thou King of kings and 

Lord of lords. ‘Thine is the 
honor, and glory, and majesty, and power; 
for all things in heaven and earth are 
Thine. Thy kingdom is from everlasting, 
and is founded upon righteousness and 
truth. We praise Thee, that Thou art 
always revealing Thyself to us, and that 
Thou art in the midst of the earth, teach- 
ing us justice and peace. We thank Thee 
for Thy word that Thou wilt bring order 
out of confusion. We praise Thee that 
Thou hast taught us Thy love, that Thou 
art giving unto us Thy commandments, so 
that we shall be enabled to walk in the 
path of rectitude and virtue. 

Establish Thy law throughout the earth. 
May those who have been chosen as our 
rulers be inspired by Thee, so that they 
shall be examples of righteousness. De- 
liver us from the strife of factions, from 
the dominance of any selfish purpose or 
desire. May Thy people walk in Thy 
peace and Thy love, and love their neigh- 
bors as themselves. Establish, thus, 
throughout all the earth, Thy kingdom 


[C391 


of righteousness and of peace. Establish 
Thy kingdom in our own hearts, that we 
may indeed be loyal subjects, that we may 
love one another, so that all our deeds 
shall be the manifestation of Thy love to 
those around us. Keep us from those 
things that are contrary to Thy law, and 
from all unbelief, that our lives may be 
pure even as Thou art pure, and may be 
living epistles of Thy truth. We ask for 
Thy help and guidance and aid during the 
coming day. Be with us wherever we go 
and abide with us wherever we abide. May 
our plans be consistent with Thy will. 
Give unto us understanding minds and be- 
lieving hearts, that we may render to rea- 
son the things that are reason’s, and to 
faith the things that are faith’s. And to 
Thy name shall be the praise and the glory. 
Amen. 


(Election Day) 
November 3, 1909 


[ 40 ] 


E worship Thee, O God, the 

\) \) Father everlasting. Through 
these acts of worship may our 

souls hold fellowship with Thee and be 
able to worship Thee, who art a spirit, in 
spirit and in truth. We rejoice that Thou 
art so near unto us and that Thou hast 
hallowed every place by Thy presence. 
Give unto us, as we wait before Thee, a 
consciousness that Thou art in the midst of 
us, that Thou art our light, ready to satisfy 
our every need. Thou hast told us that 
Thine eyes are upon the righteous, and 
that Thou art ever willing to hearken to 
their cry, and yet we have to confess to 
Thee our unrighteousness and our sinful- 
ness, judged by the standard which Thou 
hast set us. We would not attempt to 
draw near unto Thee, were it not that 
Thou hast made Thyself known to us as 
One willing to save even to the uttermost 
those that come unto Thee. We come 
unto Thee who takest away the sins of the 
world, asking that Thou wilt take away 
our sins, that Thou wilt create in us right 
hearts and dispositions, so that we may 
offer those petitions which Thou canst 


[41] 


deign to hear and answer. Thou, O God, 
Thou, alone, canst satisfy these longings of 
our hearts. Come and give unto us more 
abundantly of Thyself. Again make these 
hearts Thy temples to inspire in us that 
which is right and true. There is no ex- 
cellence we dream of which we may not 
attain, for Thou art sufficient for all Thy 
children and Thou art able to lead us 
forward from strength to strength until 
we shall attain to Thy completeness. 

O God, we walk in the light of Thy 
glorious hope and promise. Each day we 
would follow wheresoever Thou seest fit 
to lead. Each day we would seek from 
Thee strength and wisdom, which shall 
make us victorious over all our foes, so 
that we shall not be enslaved by our appe- 
tites. Look upon all these Thy children 
here in Thy presence, and grant unto us 
what we each, personally, need. Give 
comfort where there is sorrow; Thy 
strength, where there is weakness; Thy 
wisdom, where there is ignorance. We 
thank Thee for all these means of grace, 
and all the instrumentalities which lead 
our souls to a higher life. Forbid that we 


[42] 


should walk unmindful of Thee, and that 
all these influences should be exerted upon 
us to no purpose. We would open our 
souls to Thee more fully, and would fol- 
low Thee more faithfully wheresoever 
Thou mayest see fit to lead us. Extend 
far and wide Thy righteousness, that the 
rulers of the earth may rule over the 
world in accordance with Thy will, so that 
we shall become, more and more, Thy 
people. Our Father, we wait for Thy 
presence and Thine inspiration. May this 
season which we spend together in prayer 
and praise and meditation upon Thy truth 
be blessed to each one of us, so that we may 
go from this place strengthened and better 
prepared for this life and the life that is 
to come. And to Thy name shall be the 
praise and the glory for ever. Amen. 


November 7, 1909 


C431 


GOD, our heavenly Father, who 
() alone art great and wise, who hast 

in Thyself all power and majesty 
and wisdom, we bow before Thee, ac- 
knowledging Thy sovereignty and wisdom. 
Majestic as Thou art, Thou dost think 
upon us, Thou art near unto us, and we 
may call upon Thee, believing that, al- 
though Thou art unseen, Thou hearest us 
always and art around about us like the 
air which invigorates us. As we go forth 
to whatsoever this day may bring unto us, 
we would go with the consciousness that 
Thy spirit goes with us and that Thou wilt 
do exceeding abundantly for us, beyond 
what we can ask or think. Thou under- 
standest our needs, according to our 
weakness, our capacity for good as well as 
for evil; wilt Thou grant those things 
which are most needful for us, so that, pos- 
sessing our souls in patience, in prosperity 
and in adversity, we may bear whatever is 
laid upon us. Where Thou dost see fit 
to frustrate any cherished plan or purpose, 
may we still have confidence that Thou 
knowest what is best for us. Give unto us 
the assurance that nothing but our own 


[44 ] 


sinfulness, and our own willfulness, can 
separate us from Thee, and that even when 
we do sin against Thee, our sin does not 
destroy Thy love for us. Give unto us, 
O God, this abiding trust in Thee, that we 
may at all times yield ourselves to Thy 
service and to Thy control, rejoicing that 
Thou, Almighty God, art our Father, our 
Saviour, and our Sanctifier, and that Thou 
art seeking by all the discipline of our 
earthly life to perfect us. Be merciful to, 
the poor, sick, wretched, and those that 
sorrow. May men in all circumstances 
find Thee a present help in every time of 
need. Establish everywhere Thy king- 
dom of righteousness and peace, that all 
forms of iniquity may be removed, that 
men may dwell together in Thy love, bear- 
ing one another’s burdens and so fulfilling 
Thy will. Hear us, our Father, this morn- 
ing, satisfy all our needs, and so may we 
go forth unto whatsoever Thou shalt 
bring. And to Thy name shall be the 
praise and the glory for ever. Amen. 


November 10, 1909 


[45] 


THOU Spirit of light and of 
() life, who art our Father, our Re- 
deemer, and our Sanctifier, we 
worship and adore Thee. Come unto us 
to-night with the consciousness of Thy 
divine presence, and put far from us 
thoughts and cares which hinder our com- 
munion and our fellowship with Thee. 
Thou hast taught us to pray, and hast as- 
sured us that Thou hearest prayer and 
answerest prayer. We come to Thee to- 
night to ask Thee for the inspiration of 
Thy spirit. Thou, O God, art all we want, 
for in Thee is sufficiency of good that can 
satisfy our souls. Thou who art the 
Bread that cometh down from heaven that 
will satisfy, come and fill us with Thyself, 
that this season of prayer and praise and 
meditation upon Thy truth may be blessed 
to each one of us. Thou hast loved us 
even when we did not love Thee; Thou 
callest us to Thyself even when we do not 
call upon Thee; Thou hast first loved us, 
and Thou hast in Thyself all of the good 
that our souls crave. 
Be to us wisdom and strength and life, 
that we may rightly discharge all the 


[46 J 


duties of our daily life, and through all 
our cares and temptations, may come into 
closer union with Thyself. Oh, that here 
to-night, we might gain a clearer vision of 
Thy life, that our hearts may be open wider 
to admit Thee as our Guest, that our wills 
may be more in accordance with Thy will, 
that this may be the expression of our 
souls, I come to do Thy will, O God. And 
where any are in darkness, grant unto them 
that light that was manifested to us in 
Jesus Christ and reveal unto us Thy 
Fatherhood and reveal us to ourselves. 
Help us, that we may imitate His example, 
that we may love Thee with all our heart 
and mind and soul and strength, and our 
neighbor as ourselves; and in the various 
places of life that Thou hast called us to 
fill, may we be living epistles of Thy 
truth, loving one another and bearing one 
another’s burdens. Where any have gone 
astray from Thee and have sinned in Thy 
sight, Thou Good Shepherd of the sheep, 
follow after those souls and bring them 
back to Thyself. 

Be merciful unto the poor and wretched, 
the sick and sorrowful, everywhere. May 


pared 


men find that Thou art sufficient for all of 
their daily needs, that in whatever circum- 
stances they are placed, they may find the 
help and strength which will enable them 
to gain the victory over every spiritual foe 
and which will enable them to make 
progress in the divine life. Extend Thy 
kingdom of righteousness and peace every- 
where, Thou King of kings, and Lord of 
lords, and may peace prevail, and may men 
rule in accordance with Thy laws. Build 
up Thy Church catholic throughout the 
earth and give grace and wisdom to its 
ministers, by whatever name they are 
called. 

Our Father, as Thou knowest us, and as 
Thou art in the midst of us, give unto us 
here to-night, each one of us, Thy blessing, 
speaking to us those words of comfort, of 
good cheer, of strength, and of hope which 
will send us forth again unto our daily life 
stronger, purer, better able to do Thy will, 
and thus may the season which we spend 
together give unto us more of faith and of 
love, that in all things we may glorify 
Thee in our bodies and in our spirits which 
are Thine. Hear us, our Father, Thou who 


[48 J 


art our strength and our portion forever, 
and to Thy name shall be the praise and 
the glory for ever. Amen. 


November 14, 1909 


[49] 


LMIGHTY and eternal God, in 
whom are all the treasures of wis- 
dom and knowledge, who art all 

we can conceive of power, wisdom, maj- 
esty, and love, we praise and adore Thee. 
Thou dost withhold no good thing from 
those that love Thee. Thou dost offer all 
good, Thou dost offer even Thyself, say- 
ing, Ask, and ye shall receive, seek, and ye 
shall find. We thank Thee for all those 
gifts which come to us every morning and 
which are offered again to us every eve- 
ning. Thou art guiding us and protecting 
us every day, and we lay ourselves down 
and sleep, and wake, for Thou hast 
watched over and sustained us. Again 
Thou hast given us the light of morning, 
that we may grow in grace and wisdom. 
All the wisdom which has come from the 
sages who have lived before us, all that 
they have discovered through science, all 
these Thou hast bestowed upon us. Give 
unto us the consciousness of Thy presence 
and give us joy and peace, since Thou the 
Omnipresent and All-Wise art with us 
and wilt not leave us nor forsake us. 
Strengthen us to bear the burdens that may 


[50] 


be laid upon us. Give us wisdom to solve 
all the problems of our daily life. Help 
us to live so that all our deeds, all our 
thoughts, may be a revelation of Thyself 
to those around us. Help us to live noble 
and true lives, and to do those things which 
are becoming and acceptable in Thy sight. 

We thank Thee for every pure and 
noble life which Thou hast inspired to re- 
veal Thy beauty and Thy truth to men. 
We thank Thee that their words still re- 
main with us after they are gone, that they 
become our inspiration to live nobly and 
truly. Comfort all that mourn. Lift up 
those that are cast down. Fill with Thy 
presence the lonely place which Thy provi- 
dence has caused in any home, and teach 
men, even by their afflictions and sorrows, 
more clearly of the life that is to come, 
giving unto them Thy comfort and Thy 
strength that they may not be discouraged. 
Give unto us, O God, an increasing faith in 
Thy life, which is eternal, that, as we walk 
through the changes of our earthly life, 
Thy light may still be with us, that we may 
not falter by the way, but walk by what- 
ever paths Thou seest fit to lead us, as- 


Bs 


sured that Thou knowest best and that we 
shall enter at last into the joy which Thou 
hast in store for those who love Thee. 
And to Thy name shall be the praise and 
the glory for ever. Amen. 


November 18, 1909 


92.1 


LMIGHTY and Eternal God, we 
worship and adore Thee, the 

Father everlasting. Thine is the 

honor and the glory and the wisdom and 
the power, for all things in heaven and in 
earth are Thine and we are Thine. Thou 
hast led us by Thy spirit and Thou hast 
loved us with an everlasting and exhaust- 
less love. Were it not for Thy love we 
should not dare turn unto Thee and call 
Thee our Father, but Thou hast so mani- 
fested Thy love in Jesus Christ that we are 
constrained to call unto Thee and to present 
unto Thee our wants, assured that Thou 
wilt hear us and that Thou wilt not turn 
us empty away from Thy presence. Thou 
hast taught us that in Thy majesty and in 
Thy power Thou art merciful unto us, 
insignificant as we are; Thou hast taught 
us that we are Thy children, and Thou hast 
revealed unto us the high standard of 
righteousness to which we are called in 
Jesus Christ. We thank Thee that Thou 
hast presented to us so high an ideal of life 
for us to attain, even although we have to 
confess we have come far short of it. Thou 
hast assured us that Thou hast mansions 


[531] 


far beyond what we have conceived to 
which we shall come. Thou dost call us 
even to Thy perfection. Thou dost bid us 
to be perfect, even as Thou art perfect, and 
we know that Thou wilt not command us 
to be that which it is impossible for us to 
become. We rejoice that day by day 
Thou art leading us with infinite patience 
into closer relationship with Thyself. 
Look upon each one of us here to-night 
and grant unto us Thy blessing and the 
inspiration which we individually need. 
Grant unto us strength to resist temptation, 
to turn from any position which makes it 
easier to commit the sin which is the strong- 
est attraction to our souls. May we be 
pure as Thou art, and gain a clearer vision 
of Thyself, so that the vision will make us 
abhor what is base. Be merciful unto 
those that are in sorrow and those that are 
in doubt and give them fresh assurance of 
Thy love. Bless Thy Church catholic, 
wherever it is manifesting Thy truth 
through its ministers. May they be 
constrained to speak Thy truth. Give 
strength and grace unto our rulers, that 
they may rule over us in peace and be ex- 


C541] 


amples of righteousness to us; to our legis- 
lators, that they may enact laws in accord- 
ance with Thy will. Our Father, be Thou 
with us here in this service of prayer and 
praise and meditation upon Thy truth. 
Give unto us the believing heart and the 
open mind to receive Thy truth, that this 
season of fellowship with each other and 
with Thee may strengthen and inspire us, 
so that we may go from this place with 
greater love for Thee and for our fellow 
men. And to Thy name shall be the praise 
and the glory for ever. Amen. 


November 21, 1909 


C551] 


THOU ever-living and ever- 
() loving God, we thank Thee for 

Thy mercy which endureth for 
ever, which is changeless and exhaustless, 
which will last through all our failures 
and all our transgressions and is the same 
for all generations. Thy mercy endureth 
for ever. Each day it comes to us with 
some new token of Thine everlasting love. 
We thank Thee for all these Thy gifts, 
for the homes Thou hast given us, for the 
mother’s love that has blessed us since in- 
fancy, for all the ties which bind us to 
each other and to Thee. We thank Thee 
for the state, for all its institutions, for the 
liberty which has been given to us. We 
thank Thee for our schools, where we can 
learn all the treasures of the past and still 
learn more of Thee in the future. We 
thank Thee for all that Thou hast done 
for us. Thou hast followed us wherever 
we have been. Thou hast ever reminded 
us of Thy Fatherhood. Thou hast healed 
us of our sicknesses, Thou hast forgiven 
our iniquities. As far as the east is from 
the west, so far hast Thou removed our 
transgressions from us. And Thou dost 


[56] 


come to us to-day in all the fullness of 
Thy Fatherhood, saying, Ask, and it shall 
be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; 
knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 
We thank Thee, O God, that we may 
still cherish the hope that Thou hast greater 
things in store for us than we have yet 
conceived, that there is a higher life than 
we have yet perceived. We thank Thee 
that we may even look forward to the hour 
of death without fear, that when human 
flesh fails, Thou wilt be the strength of our 
heart and our portion for ever, and that at 
last we shall know Thee, even as we are 
known, and shall see Thee as Thou art and 
shall see those whom we have lost, and 
shall be united with them in our Father’s 
house. O God, our Father, what words 
will enable us to offer unto Thee suitable 
thanksgiving for all of Thy gifts? They 
are more than we can number; and we 
thank Thee, most of all, for Thyself, for 
the riches of Thy grace, of Thy wisdom 
and of Thy power. Thou dost give these 
without measure to all of us. We open 
our hearts, Thou glorious Lord and 
Saviour of us all. Come and dwell within 


ey aa 


us for evermore, and to Thy name shall 
be the praise and the glory for ever. 
Amen. 


November 23, 1909 


[58 ] 


O Thee, O God, our Father, the 
Fountain of all life and all wis- 
dom and all grace, we come 
once more to be quickened by Thy life 
and to be refreshed and nourished by 
Thy love, to enter into fellowship with 
Thee as the Father of our spirits. We 
thank Thee that Thou hast prepared the 
way of the Lord for us, that Thou hast 
sent so many messengers to tell us of Thy 
coming, of Thine exhaustless love. We 
thank Thee that we have so often seen 
Thee revealed in many a human face, that 
we have heard Thy truth in many a human 
voice, that we have seen Thy life in the 
many human lives that we have loved and 
reverenced. Thou hast come very near 
unto us, in our homes, in our community, 
and in our lives. Thou hast given us un- 
answerable witness to the truth which we 
hold. 

Banish from us to-night all doubts and 
all darkness and help us to realize that we 
are in the presence of One who loves us 
with a love no words can ever compass, 
which time, even, can never exhaust. O 
our Father, come to each one of us to- 


[Tso] 


night, and forgive us all our sins, and give 
unto us a clearer comprehension of Thee 
and of Thy truth. May we not measure 
ourselves by low standards of life, but may 
we measure ourselves by the highest 
standard which Thou hast set before us. 
When we measure ourselves by Thy 
standard, we are forced to confess that we 
have come far short of it. We come to 
Thee, who takest away the sin of the 
world, and ask Thee to take away our 
sins. Forgive us every selfish, unholy 
thought which we cherish, so that, hence- 
forth, we may hate evil as Thou hatest it, 
so that we may turn away from the very 
appearance of evil. O Thou who knowest 
the secrets of our hearts, come and speak 
to each one of us Thy word of strength, of 
hope, of comfort, and of peace, which 
Thou seest we need, that we may not be 
disappointed or discouraged by anything 
in our mortal life, but that we may be 
cheered to press forward unto the mark 
which has been revealed in the life of 
Jesus Christ. 

Thou hast made us kings and priests 
unto Thyself. Help us that we may ap- 


[ 60 ] 


preciate our high vocation, that we may 
love Thee, our Father, and through all our 
earthly life may it be our steadfast deter- 
mination to do Thy will, to live a noble 
and pure and upright life so that Thou 
canst approve of us. Be merciful to those 
who are in distress, and help them; unto 
those in great peril, and protect them; 
unto those in great sorrow, and comfort 
them. And thus, our Father, lead us 
forward in our life until we shall, at last, 
see Thee as Thou art, face to face, and 
shall know even as we are known. And to 
Thy name shall be the praise and the 
glory for ever. Amen. 


November 28, 1909 


[61] 


THOU Spirit of life and of light, 
() from whose exhaustless fullness 

proceedeth this world of matter 
and of mind, who hast begotten us and 
hast nourished us continually by Thy love, 
we adore and worship Thee. We praise 
Thee for Thy mercy which endureth for 
ever, which comes every day with some 
new token of Thy Fatherhood to us. We 
thank Thee for the constant inspiration of 
Thy spirit, for the assurance that Thou art 
more ready to give that spirit unto us than 
parents are to give good things to their 
children. We ask Thee to inspire us, to 
make us conscious of Thy divine presence. 
Through these acts of worship may we 
come into closer relationship with Thee, 
our Father and our Redeemer, that we 
may gain some new conception of Thy 
love, to-night, as we worship here. Bless 
each one of us, O our Father, unworthy as 
we are. Forgive us all our sins. Teach 
us more clearly of Thy truth and Thy 
love, that we may not live as if we had no 
Father in Heaven, as if there were no hope 
for us in the world that is to come, but 
may we live continually in the light of 


[ 62] 


Thy presence, purifying ourselves even 
as Christ our Lord was pure. We thank 
Thee for His example, for all His blessed 
words, for His self-sacrificing love. May 
we feel constrained also to love Thee with 
all our heart and mind and soul, and our 
neighbor as ourselves. And as Thou 
knowest all our needs, wilt Thou grant 
unto each one of us what we personally 
need, strengthening those that are weak, 
comforting those that are in sorrow, and 
giving light to those in darkness, and 
through all our earthly experience wilt 
Thou bring us closer unto Thee, so that 
Thy life may be made more perfect in each 
one of us. 

Bless Thy Church catholic; vouchsafe 
unto Thy ministers Thy spirit, that they 
may rightly proclaim Thy truth, that their 
words may be good seed which will spring 
up and bring forth the good fruit of ever- 
lasting life in many souls. Teach every- 
where Thy sovereignty, that all rulers and 
legislators may enact laws in accordance 
with Thy will, so that men will every- 
where recognize Thy power. Our Father, 
our prayer is unto Thee. Come Thou unto 


R638 


each one of us; speak to us the word of 
hope and of comfort and of good cheer 
which we need, that by this service of 
prayer and praise and meditation upon 
Thy truth, we may go from this place with 
a stronger determination to do Thy will, 
with more love to Thee and to our fellow 
men. And to Thy name shall be the praise 
and the glory for ever. Amen. 


December 5, 1909 


[ 64 1] 


our Father, for Thy mercifulness 

and Thy loving kindness. Day by 
day Thou dost give us fresh occasion for 
gratitude. Thou sendest sun and rain to 
the earth, that it may be blessed and bring 
forth fruit. We thank Thee for all that 
Thou hast wrought among the peoples of 
the earth in the past, and for all Thou art 
each day doing for Thy children. We 
rejoice in the evidence Thou hast given 
us that Thou art in the world watching 
over us. Give us increasing faith in Thee 
and in Thy readiness to help and to save. 
We thank Thee that Thou hast made 
known to us Thyself in Jesus Christ, our 
Lord. We thank Thee that we have been 
permitted to behold Thy glory in His 
face, and that His life is a revelation to us 
of what ours may be and a revelation to 
us of Thy desire that Thy children may be 
like Thyself. Give unto us of Thy spirit, 
that we also may be victorious over every 
spiritual foe, that, as He was tempted like 
unto us and yet without sin, so we may be 
victorious over all temptation, and through 


[65] 


Bor be Thy name, O God, 


these temptations become stronger in Thy 
life. 

Give unto us during the hours of the 
coming day abundantly of Thine aid. Help 
us, day by day, to go forward in the path 
which Thou dost mark out before us, doing 
the things which Thou hast revealed unto 
us as acceptable in Thy sight, turning 
from every appearance of evil and hold- 
ing fast to that which is good. Assist us 
in the work of the day. Give unto us 
understanding minds, that we may be 
quick to perceive Thy truth as Thou 
art revealing it to us in all the forces of 
nature around us and in our individual ex- 
periences. May we be able to keep our- 
selves unspotted from the world in which 
we move, so that we may be pure in heart 
and thus behold Thee in all the revelations 
Thou hast made of Thyself. Be merciful 
unto those that are in trouble, and help 
them; unto those that are in sickness, and 
heal them; unto those that are near unto 
death, and comfort them. Establish Thy 
kingdom throughout the earth. Turn men 
from thoughts of war, that they may strive 
to do those things which shall be for peace, 


[ 66 J 


that the nations may dwell together in 
unity of brotherly love, honoring Thee in 
all their institutions and in all their laws. 
Hear us, our Father; bless Thou each one 
of us according to our individual needs, 
and grant that, with hope and faith and 
courage, we may go forth to whatsoever 
life may bring, rejoicing that we are Thy 
children; and to Thy name shall be the 
praise and the glory. Amen. 


December 15, 1909 


[67 J] 


E offer unto Thee, O God, our 

V) \) Father, our hosannas and our 

alleluias for Thine everlasting 
and exhaustless love, and we thank Thee 
that the Dayspring from on high hath 
visited us, to give light to them that sit in 
darkness and in the shadow of death, to 
guide our feet into the way of peace. We 
thank Thee that Thou hast permitted us to 
behold Thy glory in the face of Jesus 
Christ, our Lord. We come to adore Him 
and to rejoice that He was made manifest 
unto us as our Saviour and our King. We 
thank Thee, Lord, for that wondrous story 
of His life, and His death. We thank 
Thee for all His great work, for His minis- 
try upon earth. We thank Thee for His 
intercession and that we have the promise 
that we shall at last sit upon the throne of 
His glory, redeemed by His grace. 

O God, we cannot express our gratitude 
for that unspeakable, inestimable gift of 
Thy Son. We rejoice continually in the 
memory of His grace. We rejoice con- 
tinually in the light of His life. We are 
saved by His life. We are brought by 
that life into union with Thyself. We are 


[ 68 J 


led forward by the glorious hope of the 
life that is better than we have yet experi- 
enced, which will attain to Thy complete- 
ness. May we, through these songs and 
these petitions and the meditations of this 
hour, be brought into closer fellowship 
with Thee, our Father, Redeemer, and 
Sanctifier. We thank Thee for these 
blessings which we enjoy and for the hope 
that this light which is given to us is to 
pierce all the darkness through which Thy 
children are groping, that all may at last 
join in the song of peace and good will 
toward men. 

Extend, we beseech Thee, far and wide, 
O God, knowledge of Thyself and Thy 
saving grace. Give unto Thy children 
everywhere Thy spirit, that men may be 
turned from every way of ungodliness 
unto Thyself; so that the world for which 
Christ died may come to the knowledge of 
Thyself; so that men, burdened with their 
sins, may find their sins forgiven and be 
brought into fellowship with Thee. Thou 
art able to save, even to the uttermost, all 
who come unto Thee. Draw men every- 
where by the power of Thy great life unto 


[69] 


Thyself, and fill our hearts to-night with 
confidence and hope in Thee, that we may 
follow on whithersoever Thy spirit may 
lead until, perfected by Thy grace, we 
shall enter into Thy presence with exceed- 
ing joy. Thou knowest every heart here. 
Do Thou to-night bless each one of us, our 
Father, according to the amount of our 
personal need, giving peace where there is 
unrest, giving victory where one is sorely 
tried and tempted, giving light where there 
is darkness and doubt, and bringing us by 
the experiences of joy and sorrow into a 
knowledge of Thy life, so that we may be 
transformed by Thy spirit. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 


(Christmas Vespers) 
December 19, 1909 


[70 ] 


THOU ever-living and ever- 
() loving God, who art and wast and 

art to come, whom we call by 
every name of beauty, power, and wisdom, 
but whose perfection no word can ever 
fully express, we adore and worship Thee. 
Thou art very great; Thou art full of 
majesty; Thou fillest everything with Thy 
presence; Thou art around us like the air 
we breathe. Thou art in the forces of 
nature; they testify that Thou art over 
them, and they obey Thy voice; the sun 
rises and sets at Thy commandment; the 
stars move in their courses by Thy might. 
Each day gives us some new token of Thy 
power. How merciful Thou hast been to 
each one of us! Thou hast healed us of 
our sicknesses. Thou hast forgiven our 
iniquities. Again this morning, Thou dost 
come to us in the fullness of Thy Father- 
hood and Thine abundant grace, assuring 
us afresh of the great love wherewith Thou 
hast loved us and of Thy fatherly care. 
Thou wilt be our God and Guide for ever, 
and wilt cause all things to work together 
for our good, if we only trust in Thee and 


C71] 


keep Thy commandments. We commit 
ourselves again, our Father, to Thy guid- 
ance and care and keeping, thanking Thee 
for the mercies which we have experienced 
in the past, thanking Thee for all those 
opportunities which Thou hast granted us 
for growth in grace and wisdom. 

Thou hast been with us through the 
term just ending, defending us from sick- 
ness, and dost give us the assurance now 
that already there are better things in store 
for us, and that there is a glory of which 
we have no conception. Be with us wher- 
ever we go and wherever we may be in 
all our joys and our sorrows; give us of 
Thy consolation, and through all our ex- 
periences of joy or sorrow may we be made 
better, purer, and nobler, so that we may 
glorify Thee in body and spirit and mind. 
Be with all the homes, and comfort and 
euide and satisfy those whom we love, 
wherever they may be. Give Thy conso- 
lation to those that are in sorrow, teaching 
them more of Thy Fatherhood and grace. 
Bring us together at the appointed time, 
rejoicing anew in the testimony of Thy 


[72] 


mercy that endureth for ever. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 


December 22, 1909 


Bay act 


art and wast and art to come, be- 

fore whose face the generations 
arise and pass away, and whose mercy en- 
dureth for ever, we bow before Thy pres- 
ence again, acknowledging Thee and prais- 
ing Thee for all of the benefits we have 
received from Thy hand. Thou hast been 
with us at home and abroad; Thou hast 
guarded and guided us; Thou hast de- 
fended us amid all the dangers that have 
surrounded us; Thou hast been with us in 
all our joys and our sorrows. Touch our 
hearts, this morning, with Thy love. And 
now, as we begin again the duties of 
another term of study, wilt Thou be with 
us and grant unto us Thine inspiration and 
Thy strength. Prepare us for all that Thy 
wisdom has marked out for us—for joy, 
prosperity, or sorrow. Grant, by Thy 
grace, that we may keep our souls in pa- 
tience and hope, assured that Thou workest 
all things for good. 

Teach men everywhere of Thy good- 
ness and Thy truth. Sow righteousness 
and judgment throughout all the earth. 
May all rulers be inspired by Thy spirit, 

[74 J 


\ LMIGHTY and eternal God, who 


so that they shall rule justly and wisely 
over the people entrusted to their care. 
May all legislators enact laws according to 
Thy will. Teach the peoples that they 
are but men and are accountable to Thee, 
so that they shall love each other and dwell 
in brotherly love. Be very merciful, we 
beseech Thee, unto those that have been 
greatly afflicted. Fill with Thy spirit, 
abundantly, the vacant place which Thy 
providence has caused in any heart, lifting 
up those that are cast down, strengthening 
those that are faint, teaching us not to look 
at the things which are seen, but at the 
things which are unseen and eternal, so 
that we may know Thee even as we are 
known. And to Thy name shall be the 
praise and the glory. Amen. 


January 6, 1910 


By cal 


—— 


el 


LMIGHTY God, who art our ever- 
A lasting Life, and who hast styled 
Thyself the Good Shepherd of 
Thy people, leading them by the river of 
living water, we adore and worship Thee. 
Thou art and wast and art to come, the 
same yesterday and to-day and for ever, 
changeless in Thy readiness to save all who 
draw near to Thee in faith. We come to 
Thee, Thou everlasting God and Saviour 
of us all. We rejoice that Thou hast not 
made us like the beasts which perish and 
like the grass of the earth, which liveth 
to-day and dieth to-morrow. Give unto 
us renewed hope in Thee and Thy gracious 
promise, that we may not be dismayed or 
disheartened by our earthly trials. 

We praise Thee for the revelation which 
Thou hast made of Thyself, that Thou 
hast not left us merely to the light of 
reason, but to the light of Jesus Christ, our 
Lord, who has revealed to us Thy Father- 
hood and human brotherhood and that 
Thou art our Friend and Guide. We 
come to Thee, who takest away the sins of 
the world, and ask Thee to take away our 
sins, to renew within us a right spirit and a 


BGs 


clean heart. May the voice of our hearts 
be, Lo, I come to do Thy will, even as it is 
done in heaven. We rejoice that Thou 
art ever ready to come and turn our minds 
from iniquity. Give unto us the disposi- 
tion henceforth to follow Thee and keep 
Thy commandments. As Thou knowest 
our hearts, and the circumstances in which 
we are all placed, our besetting sins and 
temptations, grant unto us Thy grace, that 
we may not be overcome by the evil that is 
around us but that we may be made more 
than conquerors through Him that loved 
us. May it not be said of any of us that 
they love darkness better than light be- 
cause their deeds are evil. Look, in in- 
finite mercy, we beseech Thee, upon those 
that are in great trouble, and help them; 
upon those that are in great distress and 
sorrow, and comfort them; upon those that 
are cast down, and lift them up by Thy 
might; upon those that are in darkness, and 
give them light. Rule over all hearts and 
minds, Thou King of kings and Lord of 
lords, teaching men Thy love, causing wars 
to cease, making the peoples live together 
in brotherly love, so that all the peoples of 


B77 


the earth may become Thy people. Hear 
us, our Father, grant unto us Thy spirit 
as we wait before Thee, that by this serv- 
ice in which we engage we may see the 
pathway to Thyself, so that we may have 
greater love for Thee and for our fellow 
men. And to Thy name shall be the praise 
and the glory for ever. Amen. 


January 9, 1910 


[78 J 


GOD, Thou great Creator, by 
() whom everything was made that 

is made and who hast made every- 
thing beautiful in its season and who art 
more beautiful than all Thy works, we 
adore and worship Thee. Thou changest 
the times and the seasons, but Thy love is 
changeless and exhaustless. Thou art 
ready to hear Thy children when they 
cry unto Thee in sorrow as well as in 
joy. We thank Thee for every way in 
which Thou leadest us. We thank Thee 
for all these numberless blessings which 
Thou art granting unto us from day to 
day, for all Thy means of grace. Thou 
art ever coming unto all Thy children, 
not willing that any should perish but 
that all should love and draw near unto 
Thee. Thou art seeking means to bind 
men more closely unto Thyself. Come, 
Thou Spirit of life and light, and enter 
into our souls and transform us by Thy 
wondrous power, that we may be new 
creatures and be regenerated in hope and 
love. Thou knowest our hearts; bless us 
according to Thy knowledge and Thy 
abounding grace. Wilt Thou satisfy the 


C794 


need of every soul here in Thy presence, 
giving peace where there is unrest, giving 
light where there is darkness, giving com- 
fort where there is sorrow, lifting up those 
that are bowed down, succoring those that 
are greatly tried and tempted, that they 
may be made more than conquerors over 
every spiritual foe through the greatness 
of Thy love. Visit the homes that are in 
sorrow. Fill, we beseech Thee, the lonely 
place which Thy providence has caused in 
any heart. We thank Thee for Thy love 
which is stronger than death, which teaches 
us to look not on the things which are seen 
but the things which are unseen, assuring 
us that Thou art ever round about Thy 
children, that Thou dost never leave them, 
and that Thou dost give unto us the hope 
that we shall at last see Thee even as Thou 
seest us and shall be united again in Thy 
love. 

Extend far and wide, we beseech Thee, 
the knowledge of Thy truth, that all those 
in darkness may be enlightened and that 
Thy word which has been preached to-day 
may become a word of light and life to all 
who have heard it, so that men everywhere 


[ 80 ] 


shall come to a knowledge of Thyself. 
Our prayer is unto Thee, O God, our Life 
and Helper, and our constant Joy. Give 
unto us the consciousness of Thy presence 
here in the midst of us. Revive our hope 
and our faith and through this service may 
our souls find a pathway to Thyself, that 
we may go from this place with a stronger 
determination to live a pure life and dedi- 
cate ourselves to Thy service and do Thy 
will wherever we go. And to Thy name 
shall be the praise and the glory for ever. 
Amen. 


January 16, 1910* 


* This prayer was used at President Seelye’s funeral 
service, October 15, 1924. 


[81] 


and gracious, not willing that any 

should perish but rather that all 
should turn unto Thee, Thou callest unto 
the wicked to forsake their way. Thou 
hast told us that Thou wilt pardon all who 
come unto Thee, so we come unto Thee 
to-night, asking Thee to forgive all our 
sin and to create in our hearts a new spirit. 
Thou hast sent Thy Son to save that which 
is lost. Thou hast not waited for us to 
call upon Thee. Thou hast first called us. 
Thou art here in the midst of us, ready to 
hear our cry. Thou knowest us better than 
we know ourselves and, knowing us as we 
are, Thou dost still love us and dost still 
give unto us the hope of eternal life. We 
marvel continually at the greatness of Thy 
love. Yet we rejoice with joy unspeakable 
that Thou in Thy light and Thy majesty 
dost each day remind us of Thy affection, 
dost come to us as our Father and our 
Friend, dost give us faith in ourselves 
because Thou hast faith in us, and dost 
through that faith give us increasing faith 
in Thee. Thou dost assure us that Thou 
hast greater things in store for us than we 


[ 82 ] 


A LMIGHTY God, who art merciful 


have yet received, and that Thou art lead- 
ing Thy children forward from strength 
to strength and glory to glory until we 
shall stand before Thee in everlasting joy. 

We thank Thee for all the noble lives 
that have gone before us. We bless Thee 
for all that they have accomplished. We 
bless Thee for what our eyes see and our 
ears hear, of the progress of Thy kingdom 
round about us. Thou art extending con- 
stantly Thy kingdom of light in the realms 
of darkness. Give Thy children courage 
and hope and faith, that they may follow 
the example of Him who came not to be 
ministered unto, but to minister. Our 
Father, we come to Thee for comfort, for 
strength, for hope. Comfort those that 
are in sorrow, strengthen those that are 
weak and easily overcome, give grace 
unto those whose hearts are already hard- 
ened by their selfish desires. May Thy 
love constrain them to forsake their evil 
ways and follow Thee. 

Give unto the world for which Christ 
died more of the Christ spirit, so that we 
may see Thy light and rejoice in Thy sal- 
vation, thou King of kings and Lord of 


[33] 


lords. Rule over all the nations of the 
earth and subject them to Thy will. Be 
merciful to the victims of flood, pestilence, 
or any great calamity and, through all 
these earthly disasters, perfect Thy people 
that they may abstain from that which is 
evil. And so, our Father, wilt Thou come 
to each one of us to-night and speak Thy 
word of comfort and good cheer, that 
through this service our spirit may be en- 
larged, our charity deepened, and we may 
have a stronger determination to do Thy 
will, assured that Thou wilt never forsake 
us. And to Thy name shall be the praise 
and the glory. Amen. 


January 30, 1910 


[ 84 ] 


GOD, our Father, by whom 
() everything is made that is made, 
who art in the midst of the world 
that Thou hast made, a perpetual presence, 
we adore and worship Thee. How pre- 
cious are [Thy thoughts unto us, O God. 
Thou fillest the world around with the 
light and glory of Thy presence. Thou 
art the spirit of life and light. Come and 
manifest Thyself unto us this morning, as 
we begin the work of another day and 
another week. We go forth in Thy name 
unto whatsoever Thou hast appointed for 
us. Help us to do the work which we have 
to do as we ought, faithfully and heartily 
as unto the Lord and not unto man, rejoic- 
ing that in our work we are co-laborers 
with Thee. Thou hast appointed to each 
one of us our task. Thou hast called us to 
do Thy work. Come Thou and rule in our 
hearts, so that we shall walk by Thy spirit 
and bring all the lusts of the flesh into har- 
mony with Thy will, that soul and body 
may work harmoniously to produce that 
which is right and to help us to live noble 
lives. 
Be merciful and gracious unto those who 


[85] 


are in trouble and distress, and help them. 
Give unto men everywhere greater charity, 
greater sympathy with those around them, 
that they may bear one another’s burdens 
and so fulfill Thy law, that men every- 
where may feel that they are members of 
one family and that Thou art their com- 
mon Father and Friend. O God, look 
upon the misery of the world and draw 
men out of their troubles and distresses 
unto a larger place and fill their hearts 
with thankfulness to Thee, the Giver of 
every good and perfect gift. Hear us this 
morning. ‘Thou knowest our hearts; sat- 
isfy every need and may we go forth with 
faith and hope and good cheer unto what- 
soever Thy will may bring. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory. 
Amen. 


January 31,1910 


[ 86 J 


GOD, Thou great Creator, whose 
() wisdom and might are far beyond 

our comprehension, we draw near 
and worship Thee. The heavens are full 
of Thy glory and all Thy works testify to 
Thy majesty and Thy power. Thou hast 
created in us the breath of Thy life and, 
great and holy as Thou art, Thou dost 
think of us and Thou dost give us means to 
know Thee and ways to love Thee. Teach 
us Thy truth and incline our hearts to keep 
Thy commandments. Help us to walk by 
the light Thou hast given us, assured that 
the dark places will at last be made plain 
unto us, and that all the ways into which 
Thou leadest Thy children are designed in 
Thy fatherly guidance to bring them into 
a better knowledge of Thyself. 

We ask Thy guidance during the hours 
of the coming day. Prepare us for all that 
it may bring and in the hour of temptation 
give us fortitude, that we may overcome 
the trials of the spirit and that we may 
bring all things into subjection to Thy will. 
Teach us Thy truth and where Thou seest 
fit to lead us, may we follow, assured that 
it will be good for us. Give unto us the 


[ 87] 


understanding mind and believing heart, 
that we may render to reason the things 
that are reason’s and to faith the things 
which are faith’s. Give unto us a tolerance 
of the opinions of those who differ from 
us, that we may walk together in love, 
bearing one another’s burdens and so ful- 
fill Thy law. Be merciful to them that are 
in trouble and help them; those in sorrow 
and comfort them. Teach them more 
clearly of Thy Fatherhood. Establish 
Thy kingdom, we beseech Thee, through- 
out the earth. Overcome the selfishness of 
men, that they may walk together in love, 
that they may seek those things that are 
above, and that all our dealings with each 
other may be regulated by those principles 
of righteousness and honor which Thou 
hast given unto us. Hear us, our Father; 
according to Thy knowledge of our individ- 
ual need, wilt Thou supply that need and 
give unto us abundantly of Thy grace and 
Thy strength and Thy wisdom, that we 
may be sufficient for all of life’s demands. 
And to Thy name shall be the praise and 
the glory for ever. Amen. 


February 4, 1910 
[ 88 J 


THOU Author of pure love, 
() whom we call our Father and our 
Saviour, breathe into our souls 
Thy spirit, that we may love Thee as Thou 
lovest us. We thank Thee for all those 
forms of love in which Thou dost reveal 
unto us Thy character, for the love of kin- 
dred and friends, for all those earthly rela- 
tionships where our hearts are enriched and 
we come to a clearer knowledge of Thy- 
self. Thou art higher than ourselves and 
Thy love is as much higher than our love 
as Thy nature is higher than ours. We 
rejoice in all those gifts which come to us 
to tell us of a Father’s love. We know 
Thou hast better things in store for us than 
we can conceive. We know that Thou 
leadest us into paths, even though they 
may be paths that we do not understand, 
which, in Thine infinite love, are best for 
us. We would follow Thee, rejoicing in 
Thy light, in sorrow as well as in joy, re- 
joicing that we have Thee as Friend and 
Father. 
We come to Thee, therefore, at the be- 
ginning of another day, asking Thee for 
Thy guidance and for Thine assistance in 


[ 89] 


all the coming hours, preparing us for all 
Thou hast prepared for us, that we may 
be strong to resist the temptations which 
surround us, that we may be strong to bear 
the burdens and to do the work Thou hast 
assigned to us. And may we receive the 
cheer which Thou dost give unto good and 
honest hearts and profit by it. Deliver 
men everywhere from all their bondage to 
evil. Advance every good and righteous 
cause. Teach all men of Thy sovereignty 
and Thy righteousness. Hear us, our 
Father; do with us as seemeth good in Thy 
sight, granting us hope and faith and 
courage and love, that we may go forth 
again unto whatsoever life may bring 
during the hours of the coming day, re- 
joicing that Thou wilt not leave us or 
forsake us. Amen. 


February 6, 1910 


[90 ] 


E offer unto Thee our praise, O 

\) V) God, our great Creator, our 
Father and our Friend and our 

souls’? Benefactor. Thou fillest the world 
around us with the light and glory of 
Thy presence. Thou bringest the sunshine 
again after the storm and Thou art Thy- 
self dwelling in light that is ineffable. 
Thou dost bring comfort to the hearts that 
Thou hast darkened with sorrow, and 
through our very afflictionsand through our 
very trials Thou art perfecting in us Thy 
divine life, and we know these afflictions 
are designed to work out in us a far more 
exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 
We thank Thee that Thou hast given us 
minds to know Thee and hearts to love 
Thee. We thank Thee that Thou dost 
come to us each day with some new expres- 
sion of Thy love and goodness. We ask 
Thee again for Thine assistance, that we 
may have a clearer revelation of Thyself. 
Give unto us the strength to bear with 
fortitude the burdens which are laid upon 
us, that we may not yield to any desire of 
the appetite, but put body and soul under 
Thy will. Give unto us a tolerance for 


[91] 


those who may differ from us in opinion 
and may we, with increasing surety, dwell 
together, bearing one another’s burdens, 
striving to help all those around us in the 
name of Him who came not to be minis- 
tered unto, but to minister. 

Extend Thy kingdom far and wide, that 
all the peoples in darkness may know 
Thee, that all rulers may rule over the 
peoples entrusted to them in Thy fear and 
Thy trust and be examples of discipline to 
them. Rebuke the selfish struggles of per- 
sons who are trying to advance their own 
cause and not Thy will. And thus, we be- 
seech Thee, establish Thy kingdom of 
righteousness and peace throughout the 
earth, that all men may rejoice in Thee 
and may live together as Thy children. 
Our Father, hear Thou us this morning. 
Speak Thou to every heart here; give us 
the consciousness of Thy presence that, 
with hope and faith and courage, we may 
go forth to whatsoever life may bring. 
And to Thy name shall be the praise and 
the glory for ever. Amen. 


February 18, 1910 
[ 92 J 


GOD, our Redeemer and Crea- 
() tor, out of whose exhaustless 

blessings proceedeth everything 
that is made and whose glory all created 
things manifest, we draw near again with 
reverence and love, rejoicing in these op- 
portunities that Thou dost give unto us 
for communion with Thyself. Thou hast 
breathed into our souls Thy spirit, so that 
we may respond to the great love where- 
with Thou hast loved us, that we may not 
live like the brutes which perish but as the 
children of love. Help us to feel Thy pres- 
ence continually and through these services 
may we receive the fullness of Thy love. 
Thou hast searched us and tried us, Thou 
knowest better than we can express all our 
needs. Thou hast made us and Thou lov- 
est us with an everlasting love. Thou hast 
greater things in store for us than we can 
comprehend; according to our needs wilt 
Thou satisfy our desires. May we be per- 
fected in every grace which will draw us 
nearer unto Thyself. We thank Thee for 
the revelation which Thou hast made of 
Thyself, not only in the forces of nature 
and in the beauty of the world around us, 


[931 


but in the face of Jesus Christ, and Thou 
hast given unto us in Him the promise that 
Thou wilt lead us forward until we shall 
stand in Thy presence, in Thy complete- 
ness. 

We cannot comprehend the greatness of 
our mission and of our destiny. There are 
countless mysteries which we cannot solve, 
but we see that Thou art a righteous and 
loving God and Thou art carrying out 
through the ignorance of men Thy pur- 
poses. Thou art not willing that any 
should perish, but that all should live. 
Thou art merciful and gracious. Accord- 
ing to Thy great love, wilt Thou forgive 
our sins and incline us to turn from evil 
and follow that which is good. Speak Thy 
word of comfort.to all sorrowing hearts, 
assuring them that Thou canst bring order 
out of confusion. Thou dost suffer us to 
bear that which we are able to bear. Turn 
us from every evil way, from every posi- 
tion in which we are making it easier to do 
wrong, to commit the sin which offers the 
strongest temptation to our souls. May 
Thy vision of love pass continually before 


[941 


us, that we may be led to abhor that which 
is evil. 

Strengthen Thy children for the work 
they do for Thy Church universal and 
catholic in all lands. Be the light of the 
peoples of the earth, so that Thy ministers 
shall be endued with wisdom and power 
rightly to proclaim Thy truth, so that Thy 
children shall not strive about words but 
shall be led to love Thee and each other. 
Our Father, our prayer is unto Thee 
to-night. Give unto each soul here in 
Thy presence what Thou seest it needs. 
Strengthen us for all that life may demand 
of us so that we shall grow daily purer in 
heart and more like Thee, our Lord. And 
to Thy name shall be the praise and the 
glory for ever. Amen. 


February 20, 1910 


[95] 


LORD, Thou great Creator, who 
() hast made everything beautiful in 

its season and hast given to each 
season a beauty of its own, we offer unto 
Thee our praise and our adoration. Thou 
art more beautiful than all Thy works and 
Thou art revealing unto us a_ beauty 
greater than eye hath seen, or ear hath 
heard, or the heart of man hath conceived. 
Let the beauty of the Lord our God be 
upon us; let it enter into our souls, that we 
may be transformed into Thine image and 
that we may manifest in our words and 
deeds a life that is hidin Thee. We thank 
Thee that Thou dost come to us this morn- 
ing and speak unto us. We thank Thee 
for every pure and noble and upright life 
which Thou hast given unto us for our 
example. We thank Thee that Thou art 
leading Thy people forward by all these 
manifestations of Thyself, by giving a 
higher conception of Thyself, unto a 
nobler and purer life. Grant that we may 
seek to realize in ourselves the heavenly 
vision and that all our words and deeds 
may be manifestations of Thyself to those 
with whom we daily associate. Strengthen 


[ 96 1 


our bodies for all Thou dost demand of us, 
so that we may resist the temptations to 
which we are exposed and that we may be- 
come stronger in our determination to live 
a pure and noble life. Give unto us the 
understanding mind and the believing 
heart, that we may render to reason the 
things that are reason’s and to faith the 
things that are faith’s. 

Establish Thy kingdom, we beseech 
Thee, throughout all the earth, that all 
legislators may enact laws according to 
Thy will, that the rulers of the earth may 
rule rightly and justly in Thy sight. And, 
our Father, wilt Thou manifest Thyself in 
all human institutions, that the kingdoms 
of the earth may become Thy kingdom, 
that men may adore and praise Thee. 
Hear us in these our petitions this morning. 
Speak Thy word of hope and comfort and 
good cheer to each one of us, that we may 
go on our way rejoicing, assured that 
Thou, the Almighty, wilt go with us and 
that Thou wilt never leave us or forsake 
us. And to Thy name shall be the praise 
and the glory for ever. Amen. 


February 23, 1910 
C97 J 


THOU most merciful God, our 
O heavenly Father, who art merci- 
ful and gracious, not willing that 
any should perish, but rather that all should 
be saved, Thou who takest away the sins 
of the Borla we ask Thee that Thou wilt 
take away our sins; that Thou wilt take 
away our tendency to sin; that we may 
serve Thee faithfully and live as Thy 
children. We praise Thee for the revela- 
tion Thou hast made of Thyself in the 
light and glory of the world around us, in 
all the movements of history, in the decla- 
rations which age to age repeats that Thou 
art the Father of all the children of men 
and that Thou art seeking to draw them by 
their earthly experiences to the higher life. 
Give unto us the victory over all the lusts 
of the flesh which seek to master the spirit. 
Give unto us Thy purity of heart, which 
shall turn with disgust from all that is evil, 
which shall hate evil as Thou Thyself 
hatest it, so that we may live pure and God- 
like lives, seeking to do Thy will and to 
manifest Thy spirit in all our words and 
all our deeds. 
We ask Thee for Thy blessing during 


[98 J 


the hours of the coming day. Strengthen us 
to do the work which may be demanded of 
us; give unto us the right disposition, that 
we may live for Thee and follow the ex- 
ample of Him who came not to be min- 
istered unto, but to minister and to give 
His life a ransom for many. May we ever 
be living epistles of Thy truth, so that 
those around us may be influenced by us. 
Forbid that we should be stumbling blocks 
for any and may we ourselves grow better; 
and, in the work in which we engage, may 
we become purified and exalted so that we 
shall live the life which Thou callest Thy 
children to live. Extend far and wide the 
knowledge of Thyself. Overcome all the 
evil purposes of men. Deliver us from 
sedition, from strife and anarchy, from 
every evil way, that we may live as Thy 
people, honoring Thee in all our institu- 
tions and in our laws. Speak, our Father, 
unto each one of us Thy word of comfort 
and hope and good cheer this morning, that 
we may press forward with confidence in 
Thee and with confidence also in the 
strength which Thou givest us to bear 


C991 


whatsoever life may bring. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 


February 25, 1910 


[ 100 | 


E give again our voice of praise 

\) \) and thanksgiving to Thee, our 
God and Creator. The seasons 

come and go as Thou hast ordained and we 
see in the unvarying order, in the reason- 
ableness of all the multitude of things, the 
unerringness of Thy unchanging law. We 
thank Thee that Thou dost come to us each 
day with some new form of love. Thou 
art still our Father and our Friend. Thou 
carest for everything that Thou hast made 
and Thou wilt not leave us alone. Give 
unto us this morning again the conscious- 
ness of Thy divine presence and of Thy 
fatherly care, that our hearts may not be 
cast down and disquieted by any earthly 
voice, but that our hearts may wait wholly 
on Thee. Take us and do with us as 
seemeth good in Thy sight, for Thou hast 
searched us and tried us and knowest our 
capacity for good or evil. Satisfy the de- 
sires of our hearts where those desires are 
in accordance with Thy law. Protect us 
amid the dangers to which we are exposed. 
Give unto us health of body and of mind, 
that we may be able to do all that Thou 
dost require of us. Keep us from the sins 


[ ror | 


to which we are prone, from all unbelief, 
from all ignorance of Thee and Thy 
truth, from all disquietude, and uncharita- 
bleness, and impiety, that we may walk 
before Thee in love, that all our deeds and 
our words may be a revelation of Thy 
divine spirit to those around us. Give unto 
us understanding minds that we may be 
quick to see Thy truth in all the things 
around us. 

Be Thou merciful to those that are in 
great trouble and distress; do Thou com- 
fort those that are in sorrow and trouble 
and help them. Hear us, our Father, this 
morning. What we fail in asking, fail 
Thou not in giving. Grant each one of us 
the special blessing which Thou seest each 
one of us needs, and fill us with joy and 
the assurance that, wherever we go and 
wherever we may be, Thou wilt be with us 
and wilt be our portion for ever. And to 
Thy name shall be the praise and the glory 
for ever. Amen. 


March 2, r910 


roa 


GOD, Thou Fountain of all wis- 
() dom and all life, draw now all 

evil from every heart and grant 
unto us a clearer vision of Thyself. Thou 
hast been good unto us and we come, O 
God, asking of Thee the light and the 
grace that we need, that we may live the 
life that Thou must approve. Thou art 
the Author and Source of power and men 
never call upon Thee in vain. Thou art 
the portion of Thy people. Thou hast 
said, Seek and ye shall find, knock and it 
shall be opened unto you. Thou hast 
made us for Thyself, and our hearts have 
no rest until they find their rest in Thee. 
Our hearts are not at rest and we would 
wait patiently for Thee. Look upon this 
congregation, we beseech Thee, and grant 
unto each one of us what we need. 

We thank Thee for all the blessed 
memories of this day. We thank Thee 
that Thou hast heard the prayers of Thy 
children, for Thy blessing upon the schools 
and universities of this land and other 
lands. We thank Thee for the light Thou 
hast given them, for the truth Thou hast 
inspired in noble lives. We still ask Thee 


[103.4 


that Thou wilt watch over us and bless us, 
and may these schools of learning be places 
where men shall gain greater knowledge 
of Thee. With increasing knowledge, 
may there be increasing reverence for that 
which is pure and good. Inspire those that 
teach, that all the instruction given in 
schools and colleges may be according to 
Thy law. May we render unto reason the 
things that are reason’s and to faith the 
things that are faith’s. Manifest continu- 
ally Thy truth and Thy peace, so that the 
dark places shall be filled with the knowl- 
edge of Jesus Christ, so that the habita- 
tions of the corrupt may be removed and 
the kingdom of heaven may everywhere 
prevail. We thank Thee that Thou art 
inspiring so many of Thy children to go 
forth unto distant regions of the earth and 
declare Thy law. We thank Thee for the 
great and noble life which has inspired us 
and through whose example Thou art in- 
spiring us to noble deeds. 

Our Father, our prayer is unto Thee, 
to-night. Hear us, we beseech Thee. Re- 
veal Thyself more clearly unto each one 
of us in all the world which Thou hast 


[ 104 J 


created, and especially in Jesus Christ, in 
whom Thou art manifesting unto us Thy 
glory and hast revealed unto us Thy 
Fatherhood and whose life is a promise of 
what we may become. May we in deed 
and truth be His disciples, living epistles 
of His word, so that we ourselves shall at 
last attain unto Thy completeness. And 
may this season of prayer and of praise and 
meditation upon Thy truth be blessed to 
each one of us here, that we shall go forth 
from this place with a stronger determina- 
tion to live the life Thou hast appointed 
for us and be in deed and truth Thy chil- 
dren. And to Thy name shall be the praise 
and the glory for ever. Amen. 


March 5, 1910 


[105 ] 


E magnify and praise Thy glori- 

\ \) ous name, Thou King of kings 
and Lord of lords. Thou art 

the King immortal, the King invisible, and 
the Father everlasting. Thou raisest up 
one and castest down another, but Thou art 
the same from age to age and of Thy king- 
dom there shall be no end. Give unto us, 
as we gather here in this place of prayer, a 
sense of Thy majesty and also of Thy pres- 
ence and of Thine everlasting and exhaust- 
less life. We thank Thee for Thy love 
which has banished all our fears so that we 
dare to come before Thee, Thou Lord and 
Holy One, who endurest through eternity, 
and plead our cause. Thou hast assured us 
that Thou art near each one of us, that Thy 
ways are good and that there is in Thee a 
sufficiency of good which can satisfy the 
need of all Thy children. In Thee we live 
and move and have our being. Thy spirit 
is round about us, quickening us even as 
rain quickens the living things so that the 
ground brings forth fruit to satisfy human 
needs. Even so Thou art quickening Thy 
people and Thou art filling their hearts 
with Thyself, so that we may be co- 


[ 106 | 


laborers with Thee in advancing Thy king- 
dom of righteousness and peace. May we 
all be truly loyal in Thy service. May we 
rejoice that we are directed by Thee and 
that Thou dost order the steps of the good 
man and direct him in all his ways. Give 
unto us such a sense of Thy presence in our 
lives, such confidence in Thy direction, that 
we may go forward joyfully and trium- 
phantly wheresoever Thy spirit may lead. 

Give unto us to-day a clearer vision of 
Thyself, that we may not be disquieted or 
dismayed by any of the foes of our earthly 
life, knowing that Thy grace is sufficient 
for us and that they that be for us are more 
than they that be against us. May we hear 
again the voice of our Lord saying unto 
each one of us, I am He that liveth and was 
dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever- 
more and have the keys of hell and of 
death. Thou hast delivered us from the 
fear of our last great enemy, even death. 
Thou hast opened the gates of heaven to 
all believers. O our Father, speak Thy 
word of hope and comfort and good cheer 
to each one in Thy presence. Thou know- 
est all our hearts, the circumstances in 


[107 ] 


which we are placed, and Thou canst give 
unto us just the inspiration of Thy truth 
which we individually need. Draw the 
wandering ones back again to the path of 
life. Comfort those that are in great 
sorrow and distress. Be merciful unto 
those that are in trouble, help them, satisfy 
them, we beseech Thee, with Thy light. 
Comfort that great people whom Thou 
hast bereaved in taking from them their 
sovereign, and teach them through their 
affliction more clearly of Thy sovereignty 
and of Thy goodness. Inspire the new 
ruler with Thy spirit, that he may rule 
over the great people entrusted to his care 
in Thy wisdom and in Thy love and may 
be an example of righteousness unto the 
people whom he leads. May he follow in 
the footsteps of Him who came not to be 
ministered unto but to minister, and who 
did so not in order to be great but to be the 
Son of God. And teach all the peoples of 
the earth Thy sovereignty, establishing 
everywhere Thy kingdom of peace and 
righteousness, that nations may dwell in 
unity and brotherly love, that righteous- 
ness and temperance may prevail in all 


[ 108 ] 


communities. Our Father, hear this our 
supplication and may we go from this place 
strengthened by the worship in which we 
have engaged, that our hearts may be 
purer, that our wills may be stronger to 
lead Thy divine life, to overcome the 
world and its lusts. And to Thy name shall 
be the praise and the glory for ever. 
Amen. 


March 8, rgro0 


[ 109 |] 


THOU eternal God, who dwell- 
() est in light that is ineffable and 

shineth as the day, we thank Thee 
that the Dayspring from on high has come 
to give light to them that are in darkness. 
We thank Thee that Thou hast sent Thy 
Son into the world, who is the Light of 
men, and that Thou hast not left men to 
live in the dark; and even when men have 
chosen to live in the dark, Thou hast not 
left them but hast tried to bring them back 
into the light by the power of Thy great 
love. We rejoice, our Father, that Thou 
Thyself, the Light, hast come to us and we 
have had a clearer revelation of Thyself 
in Jesus Christ, that through Him we have 
learned of Thy Fatherhood, that we have 
learned that Thou art the Father of all the 
families that do dwell upon the earth. We 
praise Thee for all Thou hast wrought 
among the children of men, that Thou hast 
sent out Thy light and Thy truth to all 
parts of the earth, leading men continually 
from age to age out of sin unto Thyself, 
that they may be cleansed by Thy holy 
spirit and be regenerated again by Thy 
love. Come, Thou divine Spirit who art 


brrroy] 


the life, and give us knowledge, quicken us 
and enlighten us so that we may perceive 
Thy truth, that we may be living epistles 
of Thy truth. We thank Thee that, in 
every age, Thou hast inspired men to 
preach Thy word of light and life and to 
extend the kingdom of light unto the 
realms of darkness. We thank Thee for 
the souls that have been saved through 
their efforts and we rejoice in the hope that 
Thou, who hast given them power and 
wisdom, wilt carry forward Thy divine 
work until all the peoples of the world 
shall acknowledge Thy sovereignty and 
shall rejoice in Thy salvation. We rejoice 
that Thou hast founded Thy Church on 
the faith of Thy children and against its 
power the gates of hell shall not prevail, 
that Thy love is stronger than all the 
forces of evil. 

Increase our determination to live for 
Thee and to manifest Thy love and Thy 
truth. Take us, our Father, and do with 
us as seemeth good in Thy sight, carrying 
forward through us Thy kingdom of 
righteousness and peace that it may be ex- 


Perret 


tended throughout the earth. Bless them 
that are not counting their lives dear unto 
themselves, knowing Thou dost count the 
sacrifice, and who proclaim in distant lands 
Thy love and Thy truth. Strengthen their 
labors in turning men from the paths of 
darkness and evil, that they may live in the 
path of light. 

We wait, our Father, for Thine inspira- 
tion and Thy blessing. We come to wor- 
ship Thee and to hold fellowship with 
Thee, to be strengthened by Thee in faith 
and hope and love. Give unto us the con- 
sciousness of Thy divine presence and of 
Thy saving grace, that all our hearts may 
be refreshed, that our minds may be 
strengthened, and that, by our meditations 
upon Thy truth and by our prayers, we 
ourselves may become more filled with 
Thy divine spirit so that we shall be ready 
for all that life may demand of us. 
Throughout our life, wilt Thou be our 
guide and our inspiration, until the veil 
shall be lifted from our hearts and we 
shall no longer see as through a glass 
darkly but shall see face to face and shall 


[ 112 ] 


know Thee as we are known. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 


March 13, 1910 


Bie 308 | 


THOU ever-living Spirit, who 
() makest all things new and who 

fillest the world around us with 
the light and beauty of Thy presence and 
hast made us also in Thine image, we offer 
unto Thee again our thanksgiving and our 
praise. Day by day, Thou dost give us 
fresh occasion for gratitude. Thou hast 
been with us by night and by day, at home 
and abroad, Thou hast guarded and guided 
us, Thou hast protected us amidst the 
trials to which we have been subjected. 
Again we gather in this place of prayer to 
call to mind Thy ministry unto us and to 
implore again Thy benediction. Look 
upon us, Thou who art our Father and our 
Creator, look upon us this morning and 
satisfy all our souls with Thy indwelling 
spirit. Thou art all we want, our souls 
turn to Thee. Come and satisfy us with 
the presence of Thy love, that we may feel 
that we are not alone, but that Thou, the 
Eternal, art ever with us. 

Give unto us the consciousness of Thy 
divine presence as we begin the work of 
another term’s study. Free us from all 
our bondage to evil, that we may not walk 


[114] 


according to the lusts of the flesh but ac- 
cording to the desires of the spirit which 
Thou dost instill in us. Through this spirit 
may we gain mastery over all passions, 
so that all the powers of mind and body 
may codperate in fulfilling Thy law in 
our hearts; for so, O God, Thou hast made 
us and Thou lovest us with a love which 
Wwe can never measure or conceive. Grant 
unto us the will that may ever be obedient 
to Thy will. May the purpose and motive 
of our lives be to live a life which Thou 
canst approve. In our relations with each 
other, help us that we may ever manifest 
the same love wherewith Thou hast loved 
us, that love which has been exemplified 
to us in Him who came not to be ministered 
unto but to minister. May we love Thee 
with our whole heart, soul, and mind, and 
our neighbor as ourselves. 

Protect those that are in great danger. 
Help those that are in trouble. Comfort 
those that are in sorrow, revealing Thyself 
to them, and so, our Father, wilt Thou 
satisfy all our desires where they are con- 
sistent with Thy will, that again, with 
renewed faith and courage, we may go 


piras | 


forth unto whatsoever life may bring and 
live our daily life well, as in Thy sight; 
that we may honor Thee with the service 
of our hands and with the spontaneous im- 
pulse and joy of our hearts, rejoicing in 
every opportunity that is granted unto us 
to do Thy will and to manifest Thy spirit. 
Hear us and bless each one of us, Thou 
who art our Father and Saviour and our 
Sanctifier. Amen. 


April 7, 1910 


[ 116 ] 


THOU Spirit of light and of 
() life, who dost quicken the forces 

of nature around us with Thy 
abounding love and dost dwell in the 
hearts of Thy children, we praise Thee 
that Thou didst speak unto men in olden 
times. We thank Thee that Thou hast 
inspired so many to speak Thy truth and 
to manifest Thy love, to be living epistles 
of Thyself. Quicken our hearts to-night 
we beseech Thee, to feel Thy gracious 
presence. How marvelous are Thy deal- 
ings with Thy children in every way! 
Thou dost carry Thy kingdom through all 
the earth; Thou dost raise up those who 
count not their lives dear unto themselves, 
to give testimony of Thy truth; Thou hast 
given unto them the evidence that Thou 
art with them in seeing Thy work prosper 
from their ministry and in making them 
wise in the salvation of men. Carry for- 
ward Thy gracious work we beseech Thee, 
until men shall recognize Thee as their 
Father and their Saviour. May we find 
in our daily experiences fresh evidence that 
Thou lovest us, that Thou art mindful of 
us; for we know that like as a father pitieth 


ese eee 


his children so the Lord is mindful of 
them that love Him. 

Give unto us to-night the assurance of 
faith that Thou wilt not leave us or forsake 
us, that Thou wilt be with us in every time 
of trouble and distress, and that Thou 
wilt make all things to work together for 
our good if we put, our trust in Thee. 
Turn us from every evil way and incline 
our hearts to keep Thy commandments; 
fill our souls with Thine indwelling spirit 
that we may not lack any good thing. 
Speak Thy word of peace and hope and 
comfort to everyone here in Thy presence 
that through this service our souls may 
attain more of Thy completeness and re- 
flect more of Thine image. Let Thy bless- 
ing rest upon this land. Give grace to all 
rulers, that they may rule in accordance 
with Thy law. Extend far and wide Thy 
truth, that men may recognize Thee and 
love Thee. Hear us, our Father, and bless 
each one of us, Thou who art our Saviour, 
our Portion, and our Life for ever. Amen. 


April 15, 1910 


[ 118 | 


THOU eternal Spirit, who dwell- 
() est not in habitations made with 

hands but art a perpetual presence, 
living and moving in everything which 
Thou hast made, we thank Thee for a day 
so fair as this when all nature shows to us 
Thy beauty. We thank Thee for the 
bright sunlight which comes to us after the 
refreshing rain, for the singing birds, for 
the flowering shrubs, telling us of the 
summer that is to come and of the harvest. 
Thou art good and dost give unto all Thy 
children all that is good, all that is excel- 
lent. All that is beautiful comes to us 
from Thee and is a revelation of Thy 
beauty and Thy goodness which no ma- 
terial thing can ever express. 

We thank Thee that to-day Thou dost 
come to us again in these many forms of 
life. We thank Thee for that perpetual 
springtime with which Thou comest to 
human souls and that Thou art ever ready 
to grant unto us the strength and wisdom 
and grace we need. May none of us live 
as if we had no hope of salvation, as if 
there were no God who is seeking to mani- 
fest Himself unto us in all these glories of 


[119 ] 


His creation and all the wonders of His 
providential care. Help us not to look at 
the things which are seen merely, but at 
the things which are unseen, that through 
all this material splendor we may gain an 
insight into Thy spiritual force which is in 
the midst of all these forces of nature and 
which is speaking every day unto our souls. 

We recognize Thee in each aspiration of 
our hearts after a purer and higher life. 
Help us to follow Thy promptings to seek 
those things that are beautiful, so that we 
shall turn from everything that is base in 
Thy sight. And if any of us have forgotten 
the great love wherewith Thou hast loved 
us and have broken Thy commandments 
and have wandered far from Thy truth, O 
Thou who lovest us with a love exhaust- 
less, follow after those who have forgotten 
Thee and bring them back to Thyself with 
the firm determination henceforth to live 
as Thou wouldst have them live. Teach 
men everywhere Thy truth. Incline them 
to forsake that which is evil, overcoming 
the strife that causes bitterness and hate, 
and may men work together according to 
the impulse of Thy spirit, seeking the 

[ 120 | 


things which make for peace, so that men 
shall dwell together in brotherly love, so 
that all our laws shall be in accordance with 
Thy law. Our Father, our prayer is unto 
Thee. Thou knowest each one of us, our 
weakness and our ignorance. Come, this 
morning, and give unto each one of us 
Thy peace and benediction, that with fresh 
hope and courage we may go forth unto 
whatsoever life may bring. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 


April 20, 1910 


ee eat 


GOD, Thou great Creator, fair 
() indeed is the world which Thou 
hast made. Thou hast made 
everything beautiful in its season and Thou 
fillest all that is around us with Thy beauty 
and Thy glory and Thou art more beauti- 
ful than all Thy works. We praise Thee, 
Thou great Creator, who art our Father 
and our Guardian. We praise Thee for 
this testimony of Thy love which comes to 
us again on a morning so fair as this. We 
thank Thee that Thou dost give unto us 
again the assurance of Thy presence and 
that Thou dost remind us, by all Thy 
benefits, that Thou lovest us and that Thou 
art willing to give still greater things unto 
us than we have yet received. Put to flight 
all our doubts and fears and as we go forth 
to our earthly pilgrimage give unto us 
strength and all things that we need for 
this life and for that life that is to come. 
Help us to improve those opportunities 
which Thou are granting unto us for 
growth in grace, in wisdom, and in Thy 
spirit, so that each day we shall become 
purer, holier, and nobler in Thy sight. 
Thou knowest all our hearts and Thou 


a, 


art acquainted with all our ways. Forgive 
us our unrighteousness, our selfishness, and 
our unbelief. Through Thy grace turn us 
from every path of evil. Turn us from 
any position in which we are making it 
easier to commit sin. Be merciful to those 
in trouble and help them, unto those in 
sorrow and comfort them, unto those in 
great peril and protect them. Extend the 
knowledge of Thyself far and wide, that 
men everywhere may act according to Thy 
law, that godliness and righteousness may 
prevail in all communities. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 


April 27, 1910 


Paes 


GOD, Thou great Creator, who 
() hast made everything beautiful in 

its season, and who dost testify to 
us in the swelling buds and opening flowers 
and multitudinous forms of life which 
greet us on these glorious spring days that 
Thou art mindful of Thy children, we 
draw near and worship Thee. Thou art 
great. Thou fillest the world around us 
with the glory and light of Thy presence. 
Thou dost testify that Thy love is change- 
less. Give unto us this evening, as we 
draw near unto Thee, a consciousness of 
Thy presence. May we realize that Thou 
art not separated from us; Thou art more 
near to us than any other presence; Thou 
dost enter into our very souls and dost 
commune with us and dost teach us, every 
day, some new lesson concerning Thy 
Fatherhood and Thy saving grace. We 
offer unto Thee our praise and thanks- 
giving, our Saviour and Sanctifier and 
most bountiful Benefactor. Teach our 
hearts truth, in the consciousness of Thy 
great love wherewith Thou hast loved us, 
and as we call to mind the many proofs of 
Thy guidance and fatherly care, may our 


[124 ] 


hearts go forth in sincere adoration and 
praise. According to Thy knowledge and 
Thine abiding love, wilt Thou satisfy our 
needs, giving peace where there is unrest, 
giving strength to bear life’s burdens and 
resist its temptations, that we may resist 
evil, assured that Thou canst cause all 
things to work together for our good so 
that we shall at last attain to Thy complete- 
ness. Do with us as seems best in Thy 
sight. We are in Thy hands. May we 
not be led by any selfish motive of our 
hearts but be led by Thy spirit, so that we 
shall not be disobedient to Thy law and 
shall live as Thy children, loving Thee 
with all our heart and mind and strength, 
and our neighbor as ourselves. 

Give unto those whom we love, wher- 
ever they may be, Thy blessing. Watch 
over those that are in great trouble and 
help them. Heal those that are sick. 
Minister to those that are in sorrow, and 
comfort them and teach them of Thy truth 
and incline them to hear Thee. Thou 
King of kings and Lord of lords, extend 
Thy kingdom throughout the earth, that 
all nations may know Thee, that all human 


[125 ] 


institutions may be controlled by Thee, 
honoring Thee in all their laws. Bless 
Thy Church everywhere. Give of Thy 
wisdom and grace to her ministers that 
they may rightly manifest Thy spirit and 
declare Thy truth. Our Father, we await 
Thine inspiration. May this service 
strengthen us and give us hope. And to 
Thy name shall be the praise and the glory 
for ever. Amen. 


May 1, 1910 


[ 126 | 


E worship Thee, O God, the in- 

\) \) visible. Thine is the kingdom 
and honor and glory, for all 

things in heaven and earth are Thine. Thy 
throne is above every throne. We praise 
Thee that, in the majesty of Thy power, 
Thou hast looked upon us and that Thou 
dost treat us as Thy children, as heirs and 
joint heirs with Christ to the kingdom of 
heaven. We marvel continually at our 
high calling, because there has been re- 
vealed to us the truth that Thou hast 
offered to us to share Thy kingdom, that 
we may rule with Thee and overcome even 
as Christ Himself overcame. This dost 
Thou offer unto us if we endure unto the 
end, and Thou dost grant to us the eternal 
life, a life that will bring us into full and 
perfect fellowship with Thyself. Thou 
hast called us to be the children of God and 
given unto us the assurance of Thine ever- 
lasting life. Make us worthy of our high 
calling. Help us to use all these Thy 
gifts, that we may grow purer and better 
in Thy sight, stronger to bear life’s bur- 
dens and resist its temptations. Through 
our daily work may we be accomplishing 


[i27\.] 


Thy work, remembering that we are co- 
laborers with Thee. Help us to do with 
our might all that our hands find to do for 
Thine honor and Thy glory. May we 
earnestly seek those things that are good 
and may it be our earnest determination to 
do Thy will. 

Be merciful unto each one of us; com- 
fort those in sorrow and help those in 
trouble, keeping us from the path of evil, 
so that we may hold fast to that which is 
good. Be merciful unto those whom we 
love and protect and keep them wherever 
they may be, satisfy all their needs, teach 
them Thy truth, and enable them to profit 
by the experiences of their daily life so 
that they may grow in Thine image. 
Teach men everywhere of Thy truth, that 
the nations may be brought to a knowledge 
of Jesus Christ, that men everywhere may 
be inclined to dwell together in brotherly 
love. Our Father, hear us, and bless each 
one of us this morning according to Thy 
knowledge of our need. And to Thy name 
shall be the praise and the glory for ever. 
Amen. 


May 4, 1910 
ase ae: 


LMIGHTY and eternal God, who 
A art and wast and art to come, whose 
throne is above every throne and 

whose kingdom is from everlasting to ever- 
lasting, we adore and worship Thee. Thou 
art carrying forward from age to age Thy 
purposes for Thy children. Thou hast no 
limitation of time or space. A thousand 
years are as one day in Thy sight. Thy 
plans fail not for lack of power nor be- 
cause they are opposed by superior forces. 
They that be for us are more than they 
that be against us. Men can do nothing 
against Thy truth but for the truth, and 
Thou art the Way and the Truth and the 
Life to everyone that believeth. Give us 
confidence in Thee. Enable us to go for- 
ward, assured that Thou art with us always 
when we are with the right and that Thou 
wilt give unto us the victory over all our 
spiritual foes. We thank Thee that in 
every age Thou dost inspire men with 
courage and devotion to Thy truth, that 
Thou dost never leave them, that men 
always are ready, whom Thou dost inspire 
to work with Thee and to give themselves 
entirely to Thy service, counting not their 


[129 ] 


lives even dear unto themselves if Thou 
dost demand such a sacrifice. 

Give unto us courage and faith and hope 
and love that we, in our day and genera- 
tion, may do all that Thou requirest of us 
in Thy fear and with an eye single to Thine 
honor and Thy glory. May we never be 
discouraged or disheartened because the 
right seems to fail and the wrong seems to 
prevail, assured that Thou wilt cause all 
things at last to work together, so that Thy 
kingdom of peace and righteousness may 
prevail throughout all the earth. We be- 
seech Thee to have mercy on us in all our 
iniquities, Thou just and righteous One. 
Overcome the strife of opposing foes. 
Teach men better codperation, that they 
may remember that they are all members 
of one great family in Thee and may all be 
considerate of each other’s interests. Help 
us also to bear one another’s burdens and so 
fulfill Thy law. 

We ask for Thy benediction and Thy 
guidance during the hours of the coming 
day. Give us strength and wisdom suffi- 
cient for our needs. Protect us and grant 
us health of body and health of soul, that 


[ 130 ] 


we may be ready for all that Thou dost 
demand of us. Fill our hearts and minds 
that we may realize that Thou, the Al- 
mighty and Eternal, art with us and wilt 
never forsake us. Spare us from all that | 
is evil, May we be aware of the heavenly 
vision that is before us, so that, through 
joy and sorrow, we may become purer in 
heart and reveal more of Thy gracious 
image. And to Thy name shall be the 
praise and the glory for ever. Amen. 


May 9, 1910 


Prgril 


ETERNAL God, who art from 
() everlasting to everlasting, we bow 
before Thee in adoration and 
praise, rejoicing that Thou art from age to 
age, that Thou rulest over all the heavens 
and over all the earth and Thou art carry- 
ing forward from generation to generation 
Thy purpose of life for Thy children. We 
thank Thee for the hope with which Thou 
hast assured Thy children of the coming 
of the time when war shall be no more, 
when implements of war shall be the im- 
plements of peace and men shall rejoice. 
Give us joy and hope and confidence that 
we may go forward in the path Thou hast 
marked out for us, doing with our might 
all Thou hast prepared for us to do, know- 
ing that Thou, the all-wise and all-loving, 
art with us and wilt never forsake us. 
Wherever we go to-day, give unto us 
the assurance of Thy fellowship and Thy 
fatherly care. Protect us amid the dangers 
to which we may be exposed and especially 
give us all Thy love, that we may bear all 
things and hope all things to make the best 
of life, striving to bear no prejudice, to 
love our neighbor as ourselves. Strengthen 


[132 <] 


us in our conflicts with temptation, that we 
may not be overcome by any lusts of the 
flesh nor any selfish desires, that we may 
remember Him who came not to be minis- 
tered unto but to minister, that it may be 
our aim to follow His example, so that our 
lives may be fruitful in good work and 
deeds. 

Be merciful to those that are in great 
sorrow and comfort them. Lift up those 
that are cast down. Strengthen those that 
are weak and let them have the assurance 
that Thou wilt at last bring them unto the 
larger life, that they may see that all the 
ways in which God has led His people are 
ways of love and that through His chastise- 
ment and punishment men have been made 
better. Send Thy kingdom of peace and 
righteousness throughout all the earth, 
Thou King of kings and Lord of lords. 
Teach governments to live in equity and 
brotherly love, that men everywhere may 
keep thy commandments, that all institu- 
tions may be pervaded by Thy spirit, that 
we may indeed become Thy people, honor- 
ing Thee in all our ways. Our prayer is 
unto Thee. What we fail in asking, fail 


yesh 


not Thou in giving and may we, assured 
of all Thy love and protection, go forth to 
the unknown events of another day. And 
to Thy name shall be the praise and the 
glory for ever. Amen. 


May 23,1910 


[ 134 J 


THOU Source of life and light, 
() in whom we live and move and 
have our being, who art mani- 
fested for us in all the beauty and glory of 
the world which Thou hast made, grant 
unto us light that we may not walk in dark- 
ness but may have in our souls the light of 
Thy life, that we may be free from all that 
is evil. We praise Thee that Thou dost 
give to us every day evidence of Thy 
Fatherhood. We are glad that we may 
come to Thee again at the beginning of 
another day. Grant us Thy purity of 
heart, which will enable us to behold Thee 
in all Thy works, to recognize Thy 
fatherly care in all Thy dealings with us. 
May we not walk according to the desires 
of the flesh but according to Thy law. 
Thou callest us to Thy perfection and al- 
though that perfection is far beyond our 
comprehension, we would follow the im- 
pulse of Thy spirit, so that Thy strength 
may strengthen us in our weakness, and at 
last we shall see Thee as Thou art. 
Through the hours of the coming day, 
wilt Thou grant us the consciousness of 
Thy presence, that we may not walk as if 


Presi 


there were no Father in heaven, as if there 
were no being who cares for us. Teach 
men everywhere Thy truth, subdue all the 
forces of evil unto Thyself. Grant wis- 
dom unto our legislators that they may 
enact laws that are wise and according to 
Thy law. Teach men better systems of 
codperation, that employers and employees 
may not be at strife with one another, but 
may have mutual regard for one another 
and may do those things which promote 
friendliness and may manifest in their 
daily deeds and daily work something of 
the spirit of Thyself. 

Our Father, Thou knowest all our 
hearts, and Thou knowest all that may 
trouble us during the coming day. Ac- 
cording to Thy knowledge of what we are 
and what we need, wilt Thou grant unto 
us the strength and grace which we need, 
that we may be able to overcome evil with 
good, so that we shall at last at the close of 
the day look back upon a day which has 
been spent in Thy service. And to Thy 
name shall be the praise and the glory for 
ever. Amen. 


May 26, 1910 
[ 136 | 


GOD, Thou great Creator, who 
€:) fillest the world around us with 

the light and glory of Thy pres- 
ence, who dwellest Thyself in light that is 
ineffable and full of glory, whom no man 
has seen nor can see, who art revealing Thy- 
self in all Thy works, we adore and worship 
Thee. Grant us Thy light, that we may 
recognize Thee in the world that Thou hast 
made, in all these gifts which come to us 
from day to day, in all the opportunities 
that are granted to us for growth in grace 
andin wisdom. We praise Thee that Thou 
hast revealed Thyself to us in the life 
which is our light, which teaches us of Thy 
Fatherhood, which gives to us the heavenly 
vision of what we also may become. We 
praise Thee, O God, that Thou hast not 
left us in darkness concerning Thyself, but 
each day Thou dost come to us and speak 
to us of the great love wherewith Thou hast 
loved us and dost teach us that Thou art 
our Father and dost lead us forward to 
higher things. We would follow where 
Thou seest fit to lead us; open our eyes 
that we may see more clearly what our own 
lives ought to be and may we not be dis- 


Ec 


obedient unto the revelation which Thou 
art making unto us of Thyself, and may we 
feel in our hearts the impulse of Thy spirit, 
so that we may become purer and love all 
things which Thou lovest and hate all 
things which Thou hatest. 

Hear our prayer this morning, we be- 
seech Thee, both for ourselves and for 
those around us and for all Thy children. 
Give unto men everywhere Thy light and 
Thy peace. Remove all darkness from 
human hearts, that men may see what is 
truth and what their duty is and give unto 
them the belief, the heart, and the deter- 
mination of will that they may obey Thee 
and attain unto Thy blessings which Thou 
hast revealed unto them. Subdue the 
forces of iniquity, that men may live to- 
gether in brotherly love, that wars may 
cease, that all rulers may rule in righteous- 
ness and love, that legislators may make 
and enact laws in accordance with Thy law. 
Hear us, our Father, and as Thou knowest 
our individual need, wilt Thou satisfy each 
one according to Thy knowledge of us. 
Grant unto us fresh hope and courage, that 
we may go forth again unto the duties of 


[ 138 J 


our life and may do faithfully and well the 
work which we are called to do. And to 
Thy name shall be the praise and the glory 
for ever. Amen. 


June 1, 1910 


[ 139 J 


THOU ever-living and ever- 
() loving God, who art and wast and 
art to come, we worship Thee, the 
Father everlasting. Thou art.the Giver 
of every good and perfect gift; Thou art 
the Source of all our wisdom, love, and 
power. We thank Thee for this College, 
for all that Thou hast permitted it to do 
and to be. Continue to bless and prosper 
it, we beseech Thee, that here may be given 
an education which shall enable the stu- 
dents to think Thy thoughts after Thee, 
and to give in their lives the highest ex- 
pression of the beautiful, of the true, and 
of the good. We invoke Thy blessing 
upon the President of this College and 
upon all who are associated with him in its 
administration and instruction. May they 
all be inspired by Thy spirit, may they be 
living epistles of Thy truth, and exemplify 
the best characteristics of spiritual life, that 
here with increasing knowledge there may 
be increasing reverence and love for Thee, 
that here may be developed the best quali- 
ties of an intelligent, virtuous woman- 
hood. 
Let Thy blessing rest upon the gradu- 


[140 J 


ates of this College. We thank Thee that 
they have justified in their lives the educa- 
tion which they have here received. We 
thank Thee for their courage, for all that 
they have done for the betterment of the 
world, to relieve the destitute and to es- 
tablish —Thy kingdom of peace and of 
righteousness. 

We ask Thee on this day, so full of 
precious memories and inspiring hopes, to 
give Thy blessing to this class which 
graduates. As they go forth from us, may 
they go with unfaltering faith in Thee and 
with unswerving loyalty to Thy kingdom. 
‘May they ever manifest in their lives the 
spirit of truth, so that, wherever they are, 
they may let their light so shine that men 
may see their good works and glorify their 
Father in Heaven. Sustain them under all 
life’s trials; may they be steadfast, immov- 
able, always abounding in the work of the 
Lord, forasmuch as they know that their 
labor is not in vain in the Lord. Gra- 
ciously spare them, if it be Thy blessed 
will, from the severest trials and suffer- 
ings; but if Thou who doest all things well 
seest fit to perfect them by suffering, may 


[141 ] 


they find in Thy love an unfailing solace 
and support. 

Bless all similar institutions of learning. 
May they all be powerful agencies in Thy 
hands in establishing Thy kingdom, in ele- 
vating human society, in teaching men all 
that is right and true. 

O Thou King of kings and Lord of 
lords, teach the nations of the world that 
the laws which Thou hast ordained before 
ever the world was are the highest laws; 
that they are immutable, that they will 
exist for ever, and that men must render to 
them their obedience. Oh, hasten the time 
when men shall so recognize Thy Father- 
hood and human brotherhood that wars 
may cease, that men may be delivered from 
the bondage of ignorance and of brute 
force, and yield themselves entirely to 
Thy service. 

And now, our Father, to Thee we dedi- 
cate again this College. Let Thy spirit 
continue to guide it and inspire it. May 
the coming years bring to it greater in- 
fluence, greater light, greater knowledge, 
and greater devotion to whatsoever is pure 
and good. 


[ 142 ] 


Let the beauty of the Lord rest upon us, 
and establish Thou the work of our hands 
upon us; yea, the work of our hands estab- 
lish Thou it. And to Thy name shall be 
the praise and the glory for ever. Amen. 


Commencement Day 
June, 1919 


[ 143 ] 


LMIGHTY and eternal God, by 
A whose wisdom everything was 
made that is made—who art the 

Source of all wisdom, love, and power— 
we hallow Thy name, we worship Thee, 
the Father everlasting. Thine is the 
beauty of earth and of sky, and we are 
Thine, begotten by Thy spirit, created in 
Thine image, endowed with God-like ca- 
pacities, that we may think Thy thoughts. 
We thank Thee, our Father, for that long 
process of education whereby Thou art 
seeking to make the generations of men 
perfect as Thou art. We thank Thee for 
this College, for the far-sighted sagacity 
which conceived it, for the Christian 
charity of the noble woman who founded 
it, and for all the benefactors by whom it 
has been enlarged and enriched. Fulfill 
the desire of Thy servant that it may be 
a perennial blessing to the world. Con- 
tinue to bless and prosper it. Grant wis- 
dom and grace to its President and to those 
associated with him in its administration 
and instruction, that they may develop 
here the best characteristics of a virtuous, 
intelligent, refined, and capable woman- 


[144 J 


hood. May the students who come here 
for instruction improve to the utmost its 
advantages. With increasing knowledge 
may there be in them increasing rever- 
ence for Thee, increasing loyalty to Thy 
kingdom. May they grow more virtuous, 
gentler, more womanly, by the education 
they receive here. May the graduates of 
this College show the worth of their edu- 
cation by what they do for the betterment 
of the family, the church, and the state, 
and by their increasing devotion to the es- 
tablishment of Thy kingdom upon the 
earth. 

And now, our Father, we ask Thee to 
give Thy guidance especially unto this 
class which graduates to-day. May they 
be inspired by Thy spirit, so that all things 
shall work together for their good. May 
they not be overcome either by prosperity 
or by adversity, but by patient continuance 
in well-doing may they bring good cheer 
and helpfulness to others and great joy 
and contentment to themselves. Grant 
unto them that purity of heart which will 
enable them to see Thee in all the revela- 
tions Thou art making of Thyself; and, 


[3145 ] 


beholding Thy perfect beauty, Thy sur- 
passing loveliness, may they not be dis- 
obedient to the heavenly vision, but may 
it constrain them to love Thee with all the 
heart and mind and soul and strength, that 
thus they may become perfected in Thy 
likeness and may enjoy Thee for ever. 
And to Thy name shall be the praise and 
the glory for ever. Amen. 


Commencement Day 
June, 1923 


[ 146 J 


APPENDIX 


SELECTIONS FROM LALKsS GIVEN AT THE 
ALUMNZ ASSEMBLIES 


: PVs te a ‘ 
a 4 Ai -_ We oF: 
aged 1) ithe “Ah 

Tih) en 


s 





My heart is altogether too full for me to 
utter in fitting language a proper response 
to the gracious words to which I have lis- 
tened.. . . I have been somewhat troubled 
in listening to all these addresses by the 
contrast between the charming picture 
which has been drawn before you and the 
picture which I have in my inner conscious- 
ness of a man who has struggled so often 
with doubt and despair, who has so often 
been discouraged in his administration, who 
has so often lamented his mistakes. 

I am probably more amazed than any- 
one present at the growth of Smith Col- 
lege, for I feel how much more that 
growth means than is represented in any 
personal ability which I may possess. . . . 
Success makes a man humble, and I am 
sure that is my experience to-day. I have 
never felt so sincerely humbled as in the 
presence of this assembly of graduates and 
students of Smith College, in the presence 
of these trustees, and in the presence of my 
peers among the faculty. 

I cannot say of Smith College as the ar- 
rogant Louis Quatorze once said of his 
kingdom, “L’etat, est mo??—“Smith 


[149 ] 


College, it is I.” Smith College embodies 
in itself the spirits of many who have 
labored for it, and to whose advice and 
counsel and codperation I am unspeakably 
indebted for the success which has attended 
my administration. 

First of all I would reverently acknowl- 
edge before you all to-day my indebted- 
ness to Him who is the source of all our 
life and wisdom. I believe most truly, 
“Except the Lord build the house, they 
labor in vain that build it.” “This is the 
Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our 
eyes.” During my administration I have 
been conscious of an invisible divine force 
in the midst of this College, actuating my 
life and the lives of all connected with it, 
actuating the life of the founder of this in- 
stitution, inspiring her to lay the founda- 
tion and inspiring all our friends who have 
contributed to it. It is primarily the 
Lord’s doing. 

And now I speak to you officially for the 
last time as President of Smith College—I 
believe I am to be called the President 
Emeritus after this. I do not quite know 
what the duties of that office will be—but 


[150 ] 


if it be in the idea of the title that I should 
continue in the future as President Emeri- 
tus to give the best I have to give to the 
College in the way of interest in its work 
and in the way of helpful counsel, I shall 
be delighted to render the service. And so 
as I bid you to-day farewell in the capacity 
which I have thus far held, I bid it with 
no feeling of gloom or sadness, but with 
a feeling of joy that the College has been 
so richly blessed in the past, that here I 
can see my crown and my rejoicing, and 
that in the future I can hope for the ac- 
complishment of all that I have been try- 
ing to accomplish in part in the past. 


Address at the termination of his Presi- 
dency 
June 14, 1910 


erst 


President Morrow, President Neilson, 
Beloved Alumnz: I cannot refrain from 
saying—on such an occasion as this—a 
word of appreciation for what you are 
doing, and for this exhibition of what 
Smith College stands for. You have come 
here to-day with your gifts of money, but 
what you are doing for Smith College is 
something which no money can adequately 
represent. I have word from too many of 
the alumnz of what they are doing in the 
various circumstances where they are 
placed to feel that their worth can be 
measured by money or by words. We have 
been told of what you were doing in the 
war. I find in many cases that the Smith 
College women in their homes are show- 
ing a courage, a fortitude, and a patience 
equal to that shown by these illustrious 
women on the field of battle. 

You are the advertisement of Smith 
College. You make it known not only on 
the fields of France and Germany and 
Belgium, but you make it known all over 
the world. There are those in India and 
China and other countries who are mani- 
festing the same spirit which you manifest 


[152] 


here to-day. I cannot tell the story. It 
has touched my heart deeply, and I want 
you to continue to carry forward that spirit. 

I am reminded of the title of the poem 
which was read at the first Commencement, 
written by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps—“Vic- 
ture Salutamus,? “About to live we salute 
you.” It might seem as if it were more 
fitting for me to-day to recall that saying 
of the gladiators as they went into the 
arena, “Moriturit Salutamus”? I do not 
utter any such sentiment. I prefer the 
spirit of “Victure Salutamus.” Waving 
passed my eightieth birthday, I am about 
to live! Smith College, having passed its 
forty-first Commencement, is about to 
live! It will live to carry on this work. 
Greater things will be done for Smith 
College than have been done. I rejoice in 
all that my successors have accomplished. 
I rejoice in all that my future successors 
shall accomplish. 


What matter, I or they? 
Mine or another’s day, 

So the right word be said 
And life the sweeter made? 


Png al 


Others shall sing the song, 
Others shall right the wrong,— 
Finish what I begin, 

And all I fail of win. 


Ring, bells in unreared steeples, 
The joy of unborn peoples, 
Sound, trumpets far off blown, 
Your triumph is my own! 


Parcel and part of all, 

I keep the festival, 
Fore-reach the good to be, 
And share the victory. 


Let that be the sentiment of all these 
classes to-day. 


June, 1919 


[154] 


Dearly beloved and longed for, my joy 
and my crown: I borrow Paul’s words to 
the Philippians when I speak to an assem- 
bly like this. The soul of Smith College is 
revealed in the features of all the classes, 
of all the presidents, of all the teachers, 
and trustees. We are all looking out 
through one face. As long as that face 
expresses the high ideal Smith College was 
founded to realize, we need not fear for 
its future. 

Do you know that poem of Matthew 
Arnold’s in which he likens the soul to the 
Palladium on whose stability ancient Troy 
depended for its safety and permanence? 
The last stanza expresses my thoughts: 

Still doth the soul from its lone fastness high 
Upon our life a ruling affluence send, 

And when it falls, fight as we will we die, 
And when it lasts we cannot wholly end. 


While the ruling spirit of this College is 
maintained in its integrity and is revealed 
in the beneficent, noble lives of those 
whom it educates, it will possess abundant 
and imperishable treasures and will con- 
tinue to grow and prosper. 


June, 1921 


[155] 


The controlling spirit of Smith College, 
I rejoice to say, is still the same. I had the 
privilege of attending the last chapel serv- 
ice. J heard your honored and beloved 
President read the same passage of scrip- 
ture that I used to read at that service— 
‘‘Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
things are honest, whatsoever things are 
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatso- 
ever things are lovely, whatsoever things 
are of good report, if there be any virtue, 
and if there be any praise, think on these 
things.” We sang the same old hymn— 
“Fark, hark, my soul, angelic songs are 
swelling” and “Onward we go for still we 
hear them singing”—and onward let us 
ever go with the same high ideals, trusting 
in the same divine Spirit who has so won- 
derfully and successfully led us hitherto. 
May the inspiration and guidance of His 
Spirit never be lost. May no confidence in 
our successful attainments ever lead us to 
forget Him on whom we vitally depend 
for daily strength and wisdom. 


June, 1922 


[156] 


Beloved Alumnz, my joy and my 
crown! On the seventeenth of June, 
1873, in a back room of the Smith Chari- 
ties, between two and three o’clock in 
the afternoon, I was elected President of 
Smith College. This is therefore my 
presidential birthday. And as on birth- 
days we look back to see what life has been, 
so on this birthday I am filled with remi- 
niscences. Fifty-one years ago Smith Col- 
lege was mainly visionary. It had no 
faculty except a young and inexperienced 
president; it had no buildings; it had no 
students; and of course it had no gradu- 
ates. It had a charter; it had a little strip 
of land extending through the present 
campus; it had a fund so small that people 
laughed at it—not quite four hundred 
thousand dollars—and with this equip- 
ment it started out with a vision of a col- 
lege for women that should be equal to the 
best colleges for men in the United States. 

As an old man, I marvel at the audacity 
of the young man who fifty years ago 
accepted the presidency of Smith College. 
To most of his kindred and his friends it 
seemed a foolhardy undertaking. The ma- 


[157] 


jority of people who knew anything about 
it prophesied its failure. Women, they 
said, were incompetent to meet its require- 
ments. President Eliot—the speaker at 
the first Commencement—told us very 
frankly that we must regard it still as an 
experiment, and a doubtful experiment. 
That experiment has been made. You are 
the proof of its success. 

May I say on my fifty-first presidential 
anniversary, that to few men, I think, has 
the privilege been granted of seeing their 
visions fulfilled as mine have been. In 
place of a visionary college, you have to- 
day an actual visible organization of high- 
est collegiate rank. 

Fifty years ago we wondered where the 
students were coming from. There was no 
promise of any. To-day we wonder what 
we shall do with the great numbers that 
are coming. The fondest anticipations of 
the President and the trustees have long 
ago been more than fulfilled in regard to 
students. They said fifty years ago: “What 
are you going to do with your women after 
they are educated? What is to become of 
them? How are they to help the world 


[158] 


by studying Greek and Latin and mathe- 
matics?” 

We ask no such foolish questions now. 
The alumnz of Smith College have dis- 
tinguished themselves in peace and in war. 
They have done much for the betterment 
of homes, of schools, of the community, 
and of the state. In nearly every impor- 
tant sphere of social activity you will find 
Smith College represented. You have al- 
ready done a great work; you have already 
justified our faith; and we are confident 
that you will continue to justify it. That 
vision has been far more than fulfilled. 

If I were asked what I think is the 
special reason for its remarkable success I 
should say it was largely due to its ger- 
minal idea. It was the first institution ex- 
clusively for women founded on the idea 
that women should have equal opportuni- 
ties with men for a liberal education. That 
seed thought was planted in congenial soil 
and it grew according to the laws which 
govern vital processes everywhere, for 
God giveth to every seed its own body. 

These visions of my first birthday, 
which have been more than realized, may 


[159] 


serve as an encouragement for the realiza- 
tion of your fondest hopes for the college 
of the future. In this progressive life of 
the higher education of women, we may 
say there is nothing too good to betrue. I 
look forward to increasing power, to in- 
creasing usefulness on the part of the Col- 
lege. 

For myself I would only utter that 
prayer of an ancient seer—“Lord, now 
lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace 
according to Thy word: for mine eyes have 
seen Thy salvation.” 


June 17, 1924 


[ 160 | 


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